14 civilians killed in RSF shelling of Sudan’s South Kordofan: Medics

KHARTOUM, Sudan

At least 14 civilians were killed in artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, a local medical group said Sunday.

The Sudan Doctors Network said in a statement that two women and five children were among the victims in the attack that targeted the city of Dilling Saturday night, while 23 other people, including seven children, were injured.

It said the attack targeted residential areas in the city, causing a high number of casualties “amid extremely difficult humanitarian and health conditions and a shortage of medical personnel."

According to the group, the city was subjected to heavy shelling for the second day by the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

Dilling has already been under siege by the paramilitary group for over two years now.

The network called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to take immediate action to stop the RSF violations and provide protection for civilians in Sudan.

There was no comment from RSF on the report.

Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and RSF have been engaged in a conflict over plans to integrate the paramilitary force into the military. The fighting has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands killed and nearly 13 million people displaced.

*Writing by Rasa Evrensel in Istanbul