The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States have called on the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, RSF,to renew the “imperfectly observed” ceasefire to allow humanitarian efforts to reach the affected people in the fighting.

In a joint statement, the two countries asked for the renewal of a ceasefire agreement that had provided some relief to a six-week battle between military factions

It noted that both sides had hampered assistance deliveries and were threatening further escalation.

The army’s air strikes and seizure of medical supplies, as well as the RSF’s occupation of civilian buildings and looting, were cited as violations of the truce.

“There were violations by both parties that significantly impeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services,” Saudi Arabia and the U.S. said in a joint statement.

“Both parties have told facilitators their goal is de-escalation to facilitate humanitarian assistance and essential repairs, yet both parties are posturing for further escalation,” the statement added.

Residents reported hearing clashes overnight and on Sunday in Khartoum, while human rights monitors also said deadly fighting occurred in El Fashir, one of the main cities in Darfur’s western area.

As fighting spill into another week, the RSF stated that it is willing to explore the prospect of renewing the agreement and that it would continue to monitor it “to test the seriousness and commitment of the other party to proceed with the renewal of the agreement or not,” while the army, in its part, confirmed that it was discussing the prospect of extending the deadline.

The truce has provided some relief from the intensive combat, but intermittent confrontations and air strikes have continued.

The fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began on April 15, has left the capital reeling from intense battles, lawlessness, and a breakdown in services, displacing almost 1.4 million people and threatening to destabilize the region.

The health ministry reported that at least 730 people have died in the conflict across the country, though the true total is likely far higher.