After three weeks of fighting, envoys of Sudan's rival generals began "pre-negotiation talks" on Saturday. Meanwhile, aid shipments have started arriving.
The US and Saudi Arabian governments have confirmed that direct talks between the warring Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were beginning in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on Saturday.
The statement comes as violence continued in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other parts of the country.
A joint statement by Washington and Riyadh on Friday welcomed the "start of pre-negotiation talks" and asked for continued global support to quell the clashes.
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States urge both parties to take in consideration the interests of the Sudanese nation and its people and actively engage in the talks toward a cease-fire and end to the conflict," the statement said.
Sudan's two warring generals sent their envoys to Saudi Arabia on Friday for talks, in light of several failed attempts at a temporary cease-fire.
The internal power struggle between Sudan's de facto leader Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who leads the regular army, and his deputy-turned-rival Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the paramilitary RSF, has left hundreds dead in three weeks.
RSF leader Dagalo, also known as Hemeti, said he welcomed the Jeddah talks, hoping they would "achieve their intended goals."
"We are committed to democracy and the transition to a civilian-led government," Hemeti said on Twitter.
He added that his paramilitary force believes in the "the need for a transitional civilian government that fosters a sustainable democratic transition and fulfills the aspirations of our people for security, stability, and development."
Meanwhile, explosions were reportedly heard from Khartoum's city center. Some local media also said shots were fired in the neighboring city Omdurman.
