Kutum, May 08 (Darfur24)
At least three people were killed and nine others injured after Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters attacked the Farnoq administrative area, about 100 kilometers northwest of Kutum in North Darfur State, according to local leaders and residents.
Mayor Bahr Marsal Adam, a leader in the area, told Darfur24 that a heavily armed RSF force made up of around 25 combat vehicles launched the attack on Wednesday evening, sparking clashes with local armed residents.
He said the attackers stormed the Sanqar market, shooting the locks off shops before looting them, and also seized large numbers of livestock belonging to residents.
“The attack caused panic across the area and led to deaths, injuries, and major losses for civilians,” the mayor said.
He added that RSF commanders later intervened to contain tensions and contacted community leaders, claiming the assault had been carried out by rogue elements acting individually.
For his part, Ishaq Mohamed Ishaq, a resident, told Darfur24 that the nine wounded were transferred to Nyala for treatment, noting that four of the injured were in critical condition and required urgent surgery.
He added that local groups had gone out to pursue the stolen livestock but had not been heard from since Wednesday evening, raising fears over their fate.
Ishaq accused the RSF of attacking without provocation, despite the presence of RSF fighters and members of allied armed movements among forces previously assigned to protect the Sanqar market.
The incident comes amid growing insecurity across parts of North Darfur, where repeated attacks, looting, and armed clashes continue to threaten civilians and disrupt local trade routes.