As a new wave of violence swept the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on Monday, millions of residents hiding in their homes felt the growing strain from the battles, and doctors and hospitals were struggling to cope with casualties and get the supplies and staff members that they needed.

The forces of rival generals battling for control of Sudan clashed for a third day in Khartoum, threatening to worsen a humanitarian crisis in a nation already facing dire economic straits, growing hunger and widespread unemployment.

The fighting has left many of Khartoum’s five million residents stranded at home without electricity or water as they marked the last few days of Ramazan. Some were too afraid to venture out for food or other supplies.

A doctors’ group said that hospitals remained understaffed and were running low on supplies as wounded people streamed in. And the WHO said that the insecurity in the capital was impeding medical workers and ambulances from reaching those in need of critical care.

The fighting, which erupted on Saturday, has pitted a paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces against the Sudanese Army — a longstanding rivalry between Sudan’s two top generals who have been vying for dominance over the northeast African nation. It was still not clear who was in control of the country even as both sides claimed crucial victories.

The death toll from the first two days of fighting rose to 97.

Khartoum residents said there was an escalation in the number of fighter jets and helicopters that were circling the city starting at about 3am, local time, on Monday. Two people in an area close to the city’s international airport said the planes were circling every few minutes and getting very close to their homes.

“It’s like they are on top of our heads,” said Dallia Mohamed Abdelmoniem, a resident who was taking shelter with 10 people.

New York Times News Service