17 civilians died in three attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces this month in the Nuba Mountains region of South Kordofan state, a new report says.

The deaths resulted from SAF bombings and shelling between 4 and 7 April, according to a Monday report by the South Kordofan Blue Nile Coordination Unit, which monitors violent incidents in the state.

One person was killed in a bombing at Tunguli, Dalami County on 4 April, the report said, while nine people including seven children were killed at Al Kuk village during shelling from Dilling on 6 April. Seven more died the next day from another bombing at Tunguli.

More than 500 households were also displaced and twenty homes burnt after an SAF ground attack on 4 April at Kurngo village, Miri payam, Kadugli West county.

The report documented 20 total bombings by SAF forces between 1 March and 10 April in South Kordofan plus two in Blue Nile state.

Fighting has escalated in recent months in South Kordofan between the SAF and the SPLA-North rebel group.

The increase in violence takes place before the cultivation season, as well as during the run-up to Sudan's elections which the rebels have vowed to disrupt, according to the Coordination Unit.

Radio Tamazuj previously reported that at least 21 civilians were killed and 2500 displaced by SPLA-N attacks on government held areas in South Kordofan during the same period, citing local authorities.

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South Kordofan governor says 21 civilians killed in Habila attack (31 Mar.)