KHARTOUM, Sudan

The head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the killing of seven protesters during anti-military protests a day earlier.

Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan issued a decree to form an investigation committee into Monday’s killings and to submit its findings within 72 hours, the council said in a statement.

Seven demonstrators were killed and more than 100 others injured by army fire during protests demanding full civilian rule on Monday, according to local medics.

The new fatalities brought the death toll since October to 71.

Earlier Tuesday, three associations representing Sudanese doctors suspended working at hospitals run by the military as part of pressure for full civilian rule.

Sudan has been in turmoil since Oct. 25, 2021 when the military dismissed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's transitional government and declared a state of emergency.

Prior to the military takeover, Sudan was governed by a sovereign council of military and civilian officials tasked with overseeing the transition period until elections in 2023.

Hamdok was reinstated on Nov. 21 following an agreement, but protesters denounced the deal, insisting on the removal of any military influence over the transitional governing coalition. He resigned on Jan. 2, citing a political deadlock.