Diling, October 17 (Darfur24)
A young girl was killed and several civilians, including five children, were injured on Thursday when the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) shelled the town of Dilling in South Kordofan State.
Mubarak Omar Ibrahim, a resident, told Darfur24 that the bombardment began at around 11 a.m., when approximately eight artillery shells struck the Al-Safa neighborhood, Block 1.
He confirmed that a girl, estimated to be between seven and eight years old, died after being hit in the head by shrapnel. Five other children were injured, along with volunteer Raja Hussein Ismail, who was serving food at the site during the explosion.
According to Mubarak, the shelling originated from the eastern side of the city, where SPLM-N forces led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu are positioned. He added that the explosions caused widespread panic among residents, especially women and children, many of whom rushed to take shelter in their homes.
Dilling has been experiencing heightened security tensions for weeks due to renewed SPLM-N artillery attacks around the city. Residents fear the fighting may escalate and spread to other neighborhoods.
Local sources reported that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating as hostilities continue. Civilians are struggling to access food and water, and several markets and service facilities have closed due to the worsening security conditions.