At Least 23 Civilians Killed in Paramilitary Attacks in Sudan

The Sudanese army said in a statement that new fighting had taken place in the capital of North Darfur state, where at least "23 civilians, including women and children, were killed in indiscriminate artillery shelling by the militia (referring to the RSF) in Al Fashir".

In addition, according to the statement, dozens of paramilitaries were killed in ambushes and attacks by the army in the west of the city, without giving further details.

The statement also denied reports that the paramilitary group had advanced in this strategic city and stated that "they do not control even 9% of Al Fashir, and not 90% as they claim".

"We confirm that the situation is under the full control of the [army] forces, who are working (...) to ensure the city's resistance. Victory (...) is near", said the military sources.

The RSF has not yet responded to this information.

Al Fashir is a city of great importance to both the RSF and the army, which is defending it, together with allied local militias, as a launchpad to recapture the five states of Darfur controlled by the paramilitaries.

The paramilitaries have been besieged in Al Fashir for a year, although they have stepped up attacks on the city in recent weeks as they have been losing ground in the east of the country and in the capital, Khartoum, and other neighbouring cities such as Omdurman.

In addition to the five states of Western Sudan, the RSF now controls parts of the central region of Kordofan.

Since it began more than two years ago, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 12.5 million, making it the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet.