KHARTOUM / ISTANBUL

Dozens of civilians were killed Saturday when the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled a shelter in North Darfur state, western Sudan, a relief group said.

The El-Fasher Resistance Committee said in a statement that an RSF drone struck a shelter center in the city, killing displaced civilians.

Some victims’ bodies remained under the rubble, while others were burned inside the facility, including women, children and the elderly, the group said.

There was no immediate comment from the RSF.

The RSF has imposed a blockade on El-Fasher since May 10, 2024, despite international warnings about the risk to the city, a key hub for humanitarian operations in the five Darfur states.

Fighting between Sudan’s army and the RSF since mid-April 2023 has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced about 15 million, according to the United Nations and local authorities, while a study by American universities estimates the death toll at approximately 130,000.

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