At Least 14 Civilians Killed in RSF Shelling in Sudan’s South

At least 14 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 23 others injured in RSF artillery shelling in Sudan’s Dilling city, South Kordofan. The attack targeted residential areas amid dire humanitarian conditions, as fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF continues, creating one of the world’s worst displacement and humanitarian crises.

At least 14 civilians, including two women and five children, have been killed in a devastating artillery shelling carried out by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in South Kordofan state, according to a statement released by the Sudan Doctors Network. The attack, which occurred on Saturday night, targeted residential areas in the city of Dilling, leaving 23 others injured, including seven children. The incident highlights the continuing peril faced by civilians in regions affected by ongoing conflict, where the lack of adequate medical facilities and personnel has made the situation even more critical.
The Sudan Doctors Network said that the city of Dilling, which has been under siege by the RSF for more than two years, came under heavy shelling for the second consecutive day. Both the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) were reportedly involved in the bombardment, which destroyed homes and infrastructure and left residents with limited access to essential services. The network described the humanitarian situation as “extremely difficult,” noting that hospitals and clinics are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties while shortages of medical staff and supplies persist.
The organization called on the international community, governments, and humanitarian agencies to take immediate and decisive action to stop violations of international law by the RSF and to provide protection and support for civilians trapped in conflict zones. They stressed that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of life and alleviate suffering among vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. As of now, the RSF has not issued any comment or acknowledgment regarding the reported attack.
The recent escalation in South Kordofan is part of a wider conflict that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese army and the RSF intensified over plans to integrate the paramilitary force into the national military. The disagreement quickly escalated into full-scale fighting, with both sides deploying heavy weapons and engaging in artillery bombardments, airstrikes, and ground clashes across multiple regions. The conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises in recent years, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and forcing nearly 13 million people to flee their homes.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about violations committed by both parties to the conflict, including indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, targeting of hospitals and schools, and restrictions on humanitarian access. The situation in South Kordofan, particularly in cities like Dilling, exemplifies the urgent need for global attention and intervention to protect civilians and facilitate access to essential services such as food, water, and medical care.
The Sudan Doctors Network’s appeal underscores the compounded suffering caused by prolonged conflict, limited infrastructure, and the lack of international mechanisms capable of enforcing compliance with humanitarian law in active war zones. As the violence continues, the people of South Kordofan face not only the immediate threats of shelling and armed attacks but also long-term challenges including displacement, trauma, and the collapse of basic public services. The international community is now being called upon to step up diplomatic, humanitarian, and protective measures to address this escalating crisis.