The United States has sanctioned a commander of Sudan’s paramilitary forces, saying he played a leading role in the ongoing violence against civilians in West Darfur.

The Biden administration has sanctioned the West Darfur commander of the Rapid Support Forces on accusations that troops under his control have been responsible for violence targeting civilians.

Abdel Rahman Juma Barkalla is accused of leading a campaign marred by sexual and ethnically motivated violence.

The U.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a commander of Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, accusing him of being involved in human rights abuses in West Darfur, as Washington increases pressure over the war in the African nation.