US urges Sudan's RSF to stop shelling civilian areas

The US has urged Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to stop shelling residential areas, saying it was "deepening the suffering of the Sudanese people".

"The United States calls on the RSF to immediately cease shelling of civilian neighbourhoods and to protect civilians in Nyala, Omdurman, and throughout Sudan," the State Department said in a statement.

The RSF and the Sudanese military have been fighting since April in a conflict that has killed more than 5,000 people and displaced over five million from their homes, according to the UN.

The RSF recently intensified attacks on military-controlled areas in Omdurman, using artillery and causing civilians deaths. The group has also continued besieging military bases in Nyala in the western Darfur region in a bid to capture the city.

The US reiterated its call for the RSF and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to immediately stop the fighting and resume talks to end the conflict.

It reminded both of their commitments under the 11 May declaration in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to protect civilians, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access.

The US has already imposed sanctions on firms associated with both the RSF and the army, as well as on two RSF leaders accused of human rights abuses.

US and Saudi Arabia-led peace talks between RSF and the army collapsed in July.