RSF attacks kill, injure civilians in Sudan's South Kordofan

Multiple civilian casualties were reported following attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's South Kordofan state on Wednesday. Local media cited witnesses stating that RSF fighters and allied forces from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) launched artillery shelling on the city of Dilling, with drones also striking the al-Samasim area.

Details of the Attacks

Preliminary reports indicate that a gathering of displaced civilians fleeing the town of Kadugli was hit in the assault. A separate strike targeted the Faraghal neighborhood in Dilling, resulting in further civilian deaths and injuries. The RSF has not issued an immediate comment on the reported incidents. The attacks come a day after the paramilitary group claimed control of the strategic al-Taqatu’ area in South Kordofan, though the Sudanese army has not verified this claim.

Broader Conflict Context

The three Kordofan states have been the scene of intense fighting for weeks between the Sudanese army and the RSF, displacing tens of thousands. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions nationwide. The RSF controls most of the five-state Darfur region in western Sudan, while the army holds the majority of the country's other 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum. The ongoing violence underscores a dire humanitarian crisis, with civilian populations bearing the brunt of the warfare. The international community, including nations like Türkiye which have provided humanitarian aid and called for dialogue, continues to monitor the deteriorating situation with deep concern.