The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are reported deployed in the second largest city in North Kordofan state (central South Sudan) after the Sudanese army withdrew, while the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned that the ongoing fighting threatens the future of millions of Sudanese children.

Local sources in North Kordofan state told Al Jazeera that the RSF had been deployed since Wednesday in the city of um Rawaba.

The sources added that the Sudanese army had taken control of the city last Tuesday and then withdrew from it on Wednesday towards the city of Kosti in the White Nile state.

Government sources told Al Jazeera that the RSF looted dozens of cars and illegally detained more than 30 people in the city of um Rawaba, some of whom were later released.

The development comes as AFP reported that the RSF had taken control of some areas within the borders of Gezira state (south of Khartoum).

The agency said residents were concerned after the forces advanced 80 kilometres south of Khartoum.

Smoke rises from Khartoum from previous clashes between Sudanese army and RSF (AP)

Bombing in Khartoum

In the capital Khartoum, local sources told Al Jazeera that the Sudanese army shelled with artillery rapid support positions around the Jabra and Abu Adam neighborhoods south of the city.

In turn, the Rapid Support Forces said on its account on the "X" website that Sudanese army planes bombed this morning the sheep market in the Koko area in the eastern Nile, killing and wounding 35 people, including women and children.

Sudan's military has repeatedly denied accusations that the RSF bombed city targets in Khartoum and elsewhere.

The Sudanese army announced on Wednesday that 30 members of the Rapid Support Forces were killed in clashes south of the capital.

The Jabra neighborhood recently witnessed bloody battles between the army and the RSF, especially in the vicinity of the armored corps headquarters.

Sudan's military said it had thwarted several attempts at rapid support to seize control of the armoured corps.


The future of children

On the humanitarian front, UNICEF-Sudan Office warned that the war in Sudan and the accompanying displacement, school closures and lack of basic services threaten the future of 24 million Sudanese children.

The United Nations organization indicated in its figures that there are 12 million Sudanese children waiting to open schools again, and that two and a half million are displaced.

It also noted that 1.7 million under the age of one year are at risk of missing out on essential vaccines, and 690,<> are acutely malnourished and at risk of death.

The price of inaction is high for children in Sudan, the organization said.

The United Nations has repeatedly warned that millions of Sudanese need help.

Since clashes erupted between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in mid-April, about 5,4 people have been killed and others injured, and at least 6.<> million have been displaced inside and outside the country.