Internet service was shut off in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Thursday ahead of pro-democracy protests, marking the first time in months that web access had been restricted in advance of gatherings, according to a Reuters reporter.

The protests commemorate the third anniversary of the mass protests that took place during the 2019 uprising, which culminated to the overthrow of long-time tyrant Omar al-Bashir and the establishment of a military-citizen power-sharing agreement.

Last October, military leaders toppled the transitional government in a coup, triggering mass rallies that have called on the military to quit politics and continued for more than eight months.

After the military takeover, there were extended internet blackouts in an apparent effort to hamper the protest movement.

Staff at Sudan’s two private sector telecoms companies, speaking on condition of anonymity, said authorities had ordered them to shut down the internet once again on Thursday.

Security forces also closed bridges over the Nile between Khartoum and its twin cities of Omdurman and Bahri, another step taken on big protest days to limit the movement of marchers.