Rapid Support Forces kill at least 12 civilians in new ‘massacre’

The Sudanese army announced on Wednesday that at least 12 civilians had been killed by indiscriminate shelling by the Rapid Support Forces targeting El-Fasher, the capital of the North Darfur state.

The army’s sixth Infantry Division issued a statement, saying their forces had "repelled a new attack by the RSF on El-Fasher on Tuesday, destroying three combat vehicles and an armed vehicle, causing dozens of deaths and injuries".

"The RSF militia committed a new crime by indiscriminately shelling the north and south of El-Fasher, killing 12 civilians including women and children. At least seven others were taken to hospital for treatment," the statement continued.

The RSF later on Tuesday called on the "army and its supporting forces to hand over their weapons and evacuate the city of El-Fasher safely".

According to local media, the RSF have in recent days increased their attacks on El-Fasher, with the aim of seizing control of the city.

Rights groups have said that since May last year, El-Fasher has witnessed severe clashes between the army and the RSF, despite international warnings.

The violence comes after continued attacks by the RSF on the Zamzam camp for internally displaced people in El-Fasher, lasting several days.

Earlier this month, the RSF announced control of the camp following clashes with the army, which caused at least 400 deaths and the displacement of over 400,000 people, according to the UN.

The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which started in April 2023, has left more than 20,000 people dead and around 15 million people displaced, local authorities and the UN said.