Heavy artillery shelling by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a crowded market in Sudan’s North Darfur state killed and injured at least 15 people on Thursday, the state’s health minister said, although a local group reported lower numbers.
The shelling occurred amid escalating violence in the state capital, El Fasher, where the RSF has repeatedly targeted parts of the city, including camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Health Minister Ibrahim Khatir told the Sudan Tribune that the casualties occurred when the RSF shelled the Abu Shouk IDP camp north of El Fasher.
Khatir accused the RSF of committing a “heinous massacre” affecting women, children, and the elderly by shelling the Naivasha market inside the camp, calling it a “criminal act against innocent citizens”.
However, the Abu Shouk Emergency Room, a local response group, reported lower figures. It stated more than 15 people were killed and over 25 injured in what it called “the most violent” shelling by the RSF on the camp, according statement extended to Sudan Tribune.
The group said the RSF used 120mm and 82mm artillery and that shells hit homes, destroying dozens and causing casualties.
Clashes in Um Keddada
Separately, fighting flared in the Um Keddada locality east of El Fasher. An RSF spokesperson issued a statement claiming its forces had taken control of the army’s 24th Brigade command there, inflicting heavy losses on the army and allied Popular Resistance fighters.
However, the locality’s Deputy Executive Director contradicted the claim, stating that the Popular Resistance repelled the attack and inflicted heavy losses on the RSF forces.
Pro-army online platforms published video clips allegedly showing armed civilians deployed in the area after pushing back the RSF.
Control of Um Keddada, on a key western route, would help the RSF secure areas east of El Fasher and link territories in North Darfur and West Kordofan.
The RSF previously attacked villages in the Umm Keddada locality on Jan. 18, killing more than 100 people and forcing thousands to flee towards the main town, which is controlled by a tribal militia, according to prior reports.