Armed forces at major intersections in Khartoum, activists tells MEE

Speaking to Middle East Eye over the phone from Khartoum, a civic activist and business owner from the capital who calls herself Mai said that there were armed forces at every major intersection in the centre of the city.

"Not only soldiers," she added, saying that men from different militias were there, some dressed in civilian clothing.

Reuters also reported a heavy deployment of armed troops in the centre of the city, including the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Security forces have blocked roads leading to the defence ministry complex and the airport, as well as most of the bridges connecting Khartoum with its twin cities Omdurman and Khartoum North.