18 civilians killed, 14 abducted by RSF in Sudan’s El-Fasher: Medical group

By Tarek Chouiref

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 18 civilians were killed and 14 others, including three girls, abducted after militants from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) raided a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Sudan’s western city of El-Fasher in North Darfur, local doctors said Tuesday.

In a statement, the Sudan Doctors Network warned that killings and abductions by the RSF against unarmed residents are escalating, while the city faces a worsening humanitarian crisis amid heavy clashes, artillery shelling and drone strikes for a second consecutive day.

It said the attacks have cut off basic services and deepened civilian suffering to unprecedented levels.

There was no immediate comment from the rebel group on the report.

El-Fasher has been under siege since May, with local groups repeatedly accusing the RSF of shelling civilian areas despite international calls to protect humanitarian corridors.

The army and RSF have been fighting a war since April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, according to the UN and local authorities. Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000