The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North launched a sustained attack on the city of Dilling in South Kordofan, killing at least 14 people and wounding 23 others, according to the Sudan Doctors Network. The attack. Which lasted several hours. Targeted residential areas and left many civilians injured, including seven children — the medical group described the violence as part of a broader pattern of escalating conflict in the region.

Escalating Violence in South Kordofan

Residents of Dilling reported hearing heavy shelling and gunfire for hours, with many seeking shelter in basements and nearby buildings. The Sudan Doctors Network confirmed that the attack occurred after the military had recently repelled an RSF siege on the city. This siege. Which began earlier this year. Left supplies cut off and residents under constant threat of bombardment.

The military claimed to have successfully defended the capital of South Kordofan province against the latest attack, but the damage to infrastructure and the loss of civilian lives have raised serious concerns. The medical group warned of a possible “catastrophic scenario” similar to the one seen in the Darfur city of el-Fasher, where the RSF launched a brutal offensive in October. United Nations-commissioned experts described that attack as bearing “hallmarks of genocide.”

The violence in el-Fasher left more than 6,000 people dead over three days, according to a report from the UN Human Rights Office. The RSF unleashed “a wave of intense violence … shocking in its scale and brutality,” the report stated. The recent attack in Dilling has reignited fears of a similar tragedy unfolding in South Kordofan.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

According to the United Nations. The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF began in mid-April 2023, triggering one of the world’s fastest-growing man-made humanitarian crises. More than 12 million people have been forced from their homes, and over 33 million people in Sudan now require humanitarian aid; the death toll from the conflict has surpassed 40,000 over the past three years, with UN figures suggesting the actual number could be much higher.

Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which are currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court. The conflict has increasingly centered on Darfur and the Kordofan region, where deadly attacks, particularly by drones, have become a daily occurrence.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that more than 500 civilians were killed in drone strikes this year alone, as of mid-March. These attacks have disproportionately affected civilians, including children and women, who are often the most vulnerable in such conflicts.

International Response and Future Concerns

The international community has repeatedly called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to peace negotiations in Sudan. However, the ongoing violence shows no signs of abating. The Sudan Doctors Network and other humanitarian groups have urged the global community to increase pressure on both sides to stop the cycle of violence and protect civilian lives.

Local residents have expressed growing frustration and despair, with many saying they have no choice but to continue living under constant threat. “We are tired of the fighting,” said one resident in Dilling. “We just want to live in peace, but it seems impossible.”

As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Sudan is expected to worsen, with more civilians at risk of injury or death. The international community faces a critical decision on how to respond to the ongoing violence and prevent further loss of life. With no clear resolution in sight, the people of South Kordofan remain caught in a brutal and deadly conflict.