More than 20 civilians were killed and 100 others injured in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on Sinnar city in central Sudan, according to local aid groups.

The Sinnar Youth Gathering, a local voluntary group, reported that the RSF “indiscriminately” shelled the Sinaar market and the Al-Muwazafeen neighbourhood on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental Sudanese Doctors Network reported that 21 people were killed and more than 70 others injured due to artillery shelling by the RSF on the market.

The network said the attack was a “massacre” against unarmed civilians.

The RSF has not yet commented on the incident.

Since June, the RSF has controlled large parts of Sinnar state, including the capital city of Singa, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) control the eastern part of the state.

The International Organisation for Migration estimated that fighting in Sinnar had displaced more than 725,000 people.

Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict between the SAF and the RSF, resulting in at least 16,650 deaths.

According to the latest UN data, approximately 10.7 million people are internally displaced in Sudan, with about 2.2 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. 

(Xinhua/NAN)