FIGHTING between the Sudanese military and its rival paramilitary has killed at least 13 children and injured four others, Unicef said on Sunday. 

The children were between six and 17 years old, the United Nations agency said in a statement.

The Sudanese army on Friday launched an air raid that targeted a market in the town of Al Kuma, around 43 miles east of the North Darfur capital of El Fasher, the local Daily Sudan Post reported.

The strike killed at least 45 people and injured dozens of others, according to the Sudan Tribune news portal and the Central Observatory for Human Rights.

“These attacks on children are unacceptable. Children have no role to play in wars or civil conflict, but children are the ones who are suffering the most as the conflict in Sudan grinds on,” said Unicef’s Sheldon Yett.

War between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023, and has spread across the country killing around 20,000 people.