Khartoum, Dec 10 (NationPress) The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Tuesday of conducting airstrikes on a market in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, which they claim killed a minimum of 30 individuals and injured around 50 others. The SAF has refuted these accusations.

The RSF stated that "The warplanes persisted in their assaults on Monday, targeting innocent civilians, including the Kabkabiya market in North Darfur and Umm Ruwaba in North Kordofan."

Adam Rijal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, a volunteer organization, affirmed that "Kabkabiya city was struck by an airstrike that resulted in numerous civilian casualties."

The SAF, however, dismissed these claims, alleging that "political entities linked to the RSF" were disseminating misleading information, according to Xinhua news agency.

The SAF reiterated its pledge to protect the nation and to target facilities employed by the militia for military purposes. They stressed their commitment to the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law while conducting operations against hostile entities.

Previously, the Emergency Lawyers Initiative, a legal organization monitoring violations in Sudan, reported that over 100 individuals had been killed and hundreds more injured in the airstrike on the Kabkabiya market. However, these statistics could not be independently verified.

Kabkabiya serves as a vital junction for major roads in North Darfur.

Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the SAF and RSF. This conflict has led to the deaths of over 27,000 people and the displacement of more than 14 million individuals, based on estimates from international organizations.