At least 10 civilians were killed, and several others were injured in an attack by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West Kordofan state, a local relief group said on Tuesday.

The Dar Hamar Emergency Committee said RSF members attacked Abu Ajal village in the southeastern countryside of En Nahud, killing more than 10 civilians and injuring a large number of residents.

The group accused the RSF of committing violations against civilians during the attack.

Fighting intensifies across Kordofan

The latest violence comes as the Sudanese army and the RSF battle for control of Kordofan, a strategically important region linking western Sudan with the country’s central areas.

The two sides have been at war since April 2023 over a dispute about integrating the paramilitary force into the regular military. 

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, according to UN and international estimates.

West Kordofan has recently seen an RSF military buildup as the army advances towards En Nahud and Al-Khuway following gains in neighboring North Kordofan.

On Saturday, the Sudan Doctors Network said 25 civilians were killed in Um Badr in North Kordofan, also blaming the RSF for the deaths.

The Sudanese army said Friday that it had taken control of Al-Mazrub in North Kordofan and has reported gains in several parts of the state in recent weeks following clashes with the RSF.

The competing advances have intensified fighting across Kordofan, where government forces are seeking to consolidate their positions and expand control over key towns and routes.