At least 18 civilians have been killed in Sudan’s South Kordofan state following an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, according to a local conflict monitoring organization. The assault, which took place in the town of Dilling, reportedly involved heavy gunfire and looting, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

Witnesses say the victims included women and children, and several houses were burned during the attack. The RSF, which has been locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023, has not issued a statement in response to the allegations.

The fighting in Sudan has displaced millions and plunged parts of the country into a severe humanitarian crisis. South Kordofan, a region with a history of ethnic and political tensions, has seen repeated outbreaks of violence since the war began.

Human rights groups warn that continued attacks on civilians could amount to war crimes and are calling for greater international pressure on all parties to halt hostilities and protect vulnerable populations.