Sudan’s military has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of killing five civilians in a drone strike on El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State.

In a statement published on Thursday, the army said the RSF targeted the Grand Market, the industrial zone, and other civilian facilities in the city, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuries to others. There was no immediate comment from the RSF.

The army condemned what it called "this criminal behaviour", saying it was part of "a continuing pattern of violations committed by the militia against civilians and civilian infrastructure".

It added that the RSF’s actions are "a continuation of its criminal conduct and a blatant challenge to international humanitarian law".

The RSF and the Sudanese army have been embroiled in a violent power struggle since April 2023, which has killed thousands and plunged the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. While UN and local sources report more than 20,000 deaths and 15 million displaced, US-based researchers estimate the true toll could reach as high as 130,000.

Sudan’s army accuses RSF of killing five civilians in drone strike on El-Obeid, targeting market and industrial zone.