The United States has called on the warring sides in Sudan to return to cease-fire talks and uphold a lasting truce after previous peace efforts collapsed. The US State Department made the appeal following the suspension of Sudan`s military from the talks with a rival paramilitary force, which were being hosted in Saudi Arabia, AP reported.

The conflict between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, began in mid-April. The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 866 civilians, as reported by a Sudanese doctors group, although the actual toll is likely much higher.