Zalingei airstrikes kill civilians, Darfur coordination says

September 1, 2024 (ZALINGEI) – At least four people were killed and dozens wounded in Sudanese army air strikes on the city of Zalingei in Central Darfur, a displaced persons’ organisation said on Sunday.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group has controlled Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state, since late last year. The army has recently intensified air strikes in the region, where it is battling the RSF for control.

Adam Rijal, the spokesperson for the Darfur Displaced Persons and Refugees Coordination, said the air strikes late on Saturday hit a camp for displaced people and a residential neighbourhood in Zalingei, killing four and wounding an unspecified number of others.

The army could not immediately be reached for comment.

The RSF has controlled most of Darfur’s main cities since conflict with the army erupted in April, while the army holds most towns and villages.

Last week the United Nations said at least 24 civilians had been killed in two separate air strikes in the region.