The U.S. has condemned members of the Sudanese military for launching a coup against the country's civilian-led transitional government. White House officials announced that they would be suspending a planned $700 million aid to the country in light of the military takeover.

Earlier in the week, Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and top government officials were arrested by the military. Reports of the arrest sparked widespread protests across the nation, resulting in an immediate and violent response by the military. Sudan Doctors' Committee said military forces had opened fire on some protesters resulting in the death of at least three people.

The State Department announced Tuesday that it would be "immediately pausing" financial aid to the country, which was meant to support its transitional democratic government. State Department spokesperson, Ned Price, said sending aid to the country now would only worsen the situation and it could further fuel the military to not restore the civilian government.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the arrest of Hamdok and other government officials is "unacceptable." He called on the Sudanese military to immediately release those that had been arrested.

"We firmly reject the dissolution of the civilian-led transitional government and its associated institutions and call for their immediate restoration," Blinken said.

Blinken said the military's actions are detrimental to the country's goal of transitioning to a democratic government. He added that the coup is a betrayal to Sudan's peaceful revolution - referring to the civilian demonstrations that saw the ousting of Sudan's long-time dictator, Omar al-Bashir.

Blinken also expressed concerns over reports of violence against protestors, including the use of live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators. Blinken demanded that the military halt its use of violence against peaceful protestors, while also calling on the government to restore communications and internet services in the country.

Apart from the U.S., other countries and international organizations also condemned the coup. The United Nations and the European Union also condemned the Sudanese military's actions. The UN Security Council has reportedly scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Sudan.

The military coup occurred just weeks before the military was scheduled to turn over control of the Sovereign Council to civilian leaders. Military officials announced that they will be dissolving the council.