At least 40 people were killed in an attack on a funeral in el-Obeid, a key city in Sudan's central Kordofan region which is contested by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported the attack on Wednesday, but did not specify when the attack occurred or who were the perpetrators. According to the Sudan Tribune and other local media outlets, the RSF launched drone strikes targeting a funeral service in el-Obeid on Monday.

"Local sources report that at least 40 civilians were killed and dozens injured yesterday in an attack on a funeral gathering in el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State," the UN's agency said.

"Once again, OCHA calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law."

War rages in Kordofan and Darfur

OCHA added that the situation in the region was deteriorating further as the RSF prepared to launch an assault in Kordofan after capturing el-Fasher, the last army stronghold in the western Darfur region.

In recent months, these two regions have emerged as the epicenter of Sudan's war.

Last week, the RSF seized el-Fasher following an 18-month siege. The paramilitary rampaged through a hospital, killing over 450 people, according to the World Health Organization. They also went door-to-door, killing civilians and committing sexual assaults.

The RSF has denied committing atrocities, but survivors who fled the city, along with online videos and satellite imagery, described the carnage following the attack. Tens of thousands have been displaced.

The International Criminal Court on Monday warned that such acts in el-Fasher "may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Following the fall of el-Fasher, the RSF now controls Darfur and parts of the south. Meanwhile, the army holds the northern, eastern, and central regions along the Nile and Red Sea.

US offers truce proposal

On Tuesday, Sudan's army-backed defense minister said the military would press continue fighting the RSF after the security and defense council met to discuss a US proposal for a ceasefire.

"We thank the Trump administration for its efforts and proposals to achieve peace," Hassan Kabroun said in a broadcast on state television. He also added that "preparations for the Sudanese people's battle are ongoing." Meanwhile, no details of the US truce proposal have been made public.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that Washington wanted "to see this conflict come to a peaceful end, just as we have with so many others, but the reality is it's a very complicated situation on the ground right now."

Leavitt added that the United States is "actively engaged" in seeking a peace deal alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The UAE has been accused by the UN of supplying arms to the RSF, allegations that the UAE has repeatedly denied. Meanwhile, observers say the Sudanese army has received support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran.

Edited by: Zac Crellin