By Adel Abdelrheem
KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) – More than 65 people were killed and hundreds injured in artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group of the city of Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudanese authorities said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Khartoum State Government accused the RSF of committing a “massacre” by shelling civilians in the Karrari area of Omdurman.
“The attacks claimed over 65 lives and left hundreds injured, overwhelming local hospitals,” the statement said.
In one of the attacks, an artillery shell hit a passenger bus in the city, killing 22 passengers on board, according to the statement.
“We condemn the killing of unarmed civilians,” Governor Ahmed Othman Hamza said. “The RSF aims to terrorize and displace residents from safe areas to further its campaign of violence, including murder, rape, and theft.”
He called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to take responsibility for protecting civilians, who have been directly targeted in their homes, markets, and healthcare facilities.
There was no comment from the RSF on the report.
Sudan has been ravaged by fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF since April 2023.
The fighting has resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and displaced over 14 million people, according to estimates from the UN and local authorities.
*Writing by Mohammad Sio