PARAMILITARIES fighting the Sudanese military have shelled a besieged city in Darfur, killing at least 24 people, a medical group said today. 

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fired into densely populated areas of el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, striking the central market and Awlad al-Reef neighbourhood, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. 

The attack also wounded 55 people, including five women.

El-Fasher has been at the centre of fighting for more than a year and is the Sudanese military’s last stronghold in Darfur.

Sudan’s war erupted in April 2023 when tensions between the army and RSF escalated into nationwide conflict. 

The UN says more than 40,000 people have been killed since then, with famine spreading and families resorting to eating grass to survive.

Unicef warned this week that 260,000 civilians, half of them children, remain trapped inside el-Fasher after more than 16 months under siege, facing “desperate conditions.” 

An estimated 6,000 children are suffering severe acute malnutrition and at risk of death.

The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the conflict.