The UN has warned that Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war” following a deadly air strike on a residential area that reportedly killed around two dozen civilians.

Witnesses and health ministry officials described a scene of dismemberment and disarray in the district of Dar al-Salam, which translates to “House of Peace” in Arabic.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed responsibility for the air strike, which wounded dozens more, and that it killed 31 people.

However, the armed forces released a statement denying the air strike, blaming the violence on machine gun clashes and artillery fire.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke out against the air strike, warning that Sudan is on the brink of a full-scale civil war that could destabilise the entire region. He also expressed deep concern over reports of widespread looting, sexual violence and ethnically targeted killings.

For its part, the African Union and East African bloc IGAD have joined the UN in calling for an end to the conflict, and leaders of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan are set to meet in Addis Ababa on Monday in order to accelerate peace efforts.

Egypt is also hosting a summit Thursday to seek an end to the conflict and its regional repercussions. The war, which began nearly three months ago, has seen 3,000 people killed and nearly 3 million people displaced.

Humanitarian and human rights law have been disregarded, with the US, Norway and Britain blaming the RSF and allied militia for most of the widespread violations in the Darfur region. Residents in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, reported renewed fighting overnight Saturday-Sunday and again on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday, civilians began digging graves for those killed in the air strike in Omdurman, witnesses said. The international community must act swiftly to prevent a full-scale civil war in Sudan, which could have devastating consequences for the region.

It is essential that the African Union, East African bloc IGAD and other nations work together to ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.