At least 17 people were killed and a further 25 injured in the shelling according to the local hospital's information. But the death toll is feared to be higher as only those who could be taken to the hospital were confirmed as victims.
Militant RSF and Sudan's army, which previously shared power in the country, have been waging a brutal civil war since April 2023. Battles have previously raged in, among other places, the capital Khartum, but the Sudanese army managed to force out the paramilitary forces in the spring.
Since then, RSF has concentrated its attacks on, among other things, the oasis town of El-Fasher (al-Fashir) in the vulnerable Darfur region. The besieged city has experienced recurring attacks – but Saturday's shelling was unusually powerful and lasted for most of the day.
RSF attacked the Abou Shouk refugee camp a few kilometers north of El-Fasher in parallel. A number of civilians were also killed there, but official confirmation of the number is lacking. One of the victims was the refugee camp's leader, reports AFP.
Tens of thousands of civilians have died in battles or as a result of the civil war, according to international estimates, but the death toll may be much higher. The UN characterizes the war in Sudan as the world's largest hunger and refugee crisis at present.
