Fatalities among civilians were reported on Sunday April 20 in El Fasher,the capital of North Darfur,where at least seven people lost their lives due to artillery shelling allegedly carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
A statement issued by the army’s 6th Infantry Division confirmed that a 120mm mortar had been used,resulting in multiple injuries alongside the confirmed deaths. Shells were said to have struck residential areas including Al-Radif,Al-Ziyadiyah,and Al-Daraja Al-Oula,while strategic locations such as the army command headquarters and the former UN peacekeeping base were also impacted,according to eyewitness accounts.
The humanitarian situation in El Fasher has continued to deteriorate as a result of the RSF’s encirclement of the city and unrelenting bombardment. Hundreds of deaths have reportedly occurred in recent weeks,with shelling directed at civilian infrastructure contributing to widespread destruction. The targeting of populated areas has raised international concern,as the city’s population faces mounting insecurity,displacement,and shortages of essential supplies. The situation has been described by residents and observers as increasingly dire,with medical and relief operations severely hindered.
Elsewhere,intense combat unfolded in west Omdurman,where a significant RSF assault was reportedly repelled by Sudanese army units. Supported by the General Intelligence Service and Central Reserve Police,government forces engaged the RSF around the Fittasha and Naivasha areas,with the headquarters of the 125th Brigade and a major police combat camp among the targets. According to military sources,substantial losses were inflicted on the RSF,forcing its withdrawal toward Muwailih and the Omdurman-Bara export route. Recent gains by the army in West Omdurman have been followed by plans to sever the RSF’s supply lines and confine remaining paramilitary elements to isolated pockets within Dar es Salaam and Salha.
United News - unews.co.za