KHARTOUM — At least one person was killed and 17 others injured in artillery shelling by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in Omdurman, the twin city of Khartoum, the Sudanese Health Ministry reported on Sunday.

The ministry stated that the attack targeted civilians collecting water from wells in the Karari area. This follows RSF shelling of the Merowe Dam and the Omdurman electricity transmission line, which caused widespread power outages.

On Monday, the Sudanese army accused the RSF of launching a drone attack on the Merowe Dam, further exacerbating the power crisis in affected areas. The RSF has not commented on the allegations.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in mid-April 2023, has claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced approximately 14 million people, according to the UN and local authorities.

However, research conducted by US universities estimates the death toll to be significantly higher, at around 130,000. — Agencies