Khartoum: At least 28 civilians lost their lives and 39 others sustained injuries in an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur. The incident, which included 10 women among the casualties, was reported by a Sudanese medical group on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Sudan Doctors Network released a statement detailing that the casualties resulted from a rocket attack on the town of Mustariha in western Sudan. The attack not only caused fatalities but also led to the destruction of the area's only health center. In a further escalation of violence, medical personnel were targeted, with one healthcare worker reported missing after being detained.

The attack has led to significant displacement within the region, exacerbating the already severe humanitarian situation. The medical group described the attacks as a severe violation of humanitarian and international laws designed to protect civilians during conflicts.

The Sudan Doctors Network has called on the international community to intervene urgently to safeguard displaced civilians, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, and take immediate steps to halt the ongoing violations. The group stressed the need for accountability, urging that RSF leaders be held responsible for their actions, which violate international laws protecting civilians from violence and displacement.

The RSF currently holds control over four of Darfur's five states in western Sudan, with parts of North Darfur remaining under the army's control. Nationwide, the military maintains significant influence, including in the capital, Khartoum. Darfur encompasses about one-fifth of Sudan's territory, which covers over 1.8 million square kilometers, while the majority of Sudan's population of approximately 50 million resides in areas controlled by the military.

Since April 2023, the RSF and the Sudanese army have fought over a dispute related to integrating the paramilitary force into the military. The conflict has triggered famine conditions in what is considered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions.