The United States has imposed sanctions on a high-ranking Sudanese paramilitary official, marking the most prominent use of sanctions since the onset of the current conflict in Sudan.

Abdelrahim Dagalo, the deputy leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has been sanctioned by Washington due to his involvement in human rights violations during clashes between the RSF and Sudan's army.

This action, announced on Wednesday, appears to be a response to the recent deadly violence in West Darfur, where the RSF, in collaboration with allied militias, has been accused of perpetrating atrocities.

The US has accused Mr. Dagalo of being linked to abuses such as "conflict-related sexual violence and killings based on ethnicity."

The RSF has faced allegations from conflict monitors, human rights organizations, and witnesses regarding its involvement in the violence in Darfur.

Abdelrahim Dagalo, who is the brother of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, is the first official on either side of the conflict to be sanctioned since the war began.

Previous sanctions had targeted companies and also encompassed both the army and the RSF.