At least 35 people were killed and several others injured in a drone strike on a traditional court in North Darfur, Emergency Lawyers said.

The human rights group attributed the attack in the village of Gara al-Jawiya to the Sudanese army.

It said the strike occurred at about 1 p.m. local time as residents had gathered for hearings on local cases and disputes.

Emergency Lawyers said the court building was damaged.

An unnamed witness said proceedings were being held beneath a tree with community leaders present.

The witness said four tribal leaders and two Rapid Support Forces commanders were among those killed.

The village is under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, the accounts said.

Gara al-Jawiya lies about 150 kilometres west of El Fasher, which the RSF captured in October after an offensive.

UN investigators have said violence tied to the siege and capture of El Fasher showed clear signs of genocide.

Sudan’s war began in April 2023 between forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.