The military was expected to make a "big announcement" shortly as protesters take to the streets yet again.

Mumtaz News and Al Arabiya reported on Thursday morning that in addition to the above developments Khartoum Airport has been closed, the military has taken over national TV and Radio, arrested a number of top leaders as Army chiefs hold a meeting.

These breaking developments come after the spokesperson for the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Ahmed Khalifa Al Shami retracted a Wednesday statement in which he said a decision to forcibly disperse a major sit-in by protesters outside army headquarters had been cancelled.

Bashir had ordered his security forces to break up the mass protest which began over the weekend. However, military leaders argued against the move stating that it would lead to large losses of life.

Furthermore, in a growing sign of military disapproval junior officers clashed with security forces as they tried to protect protesters leading to a number of deaths. The dead included members of the security forces.

The government and its allied parties also called off a rally that was scheduled to be held on Thursday. 

The pro-government coalition that includes the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) were planning to hold a rally under the title “Sudan Security and Stability” near the Presidential Palace. 

Bashir was supposed to address the crowd at the Martyrs Gardens which is several kilometres away from army headquarters.

However, a few hours after the NCP mobilised its members to join the crowd, the government made the last minute cancellation decision.

African News Agency (ANA)