Drone strike on Abyei market kills at least 153 people

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 06:32 · Archive

A drone strike on a market in Abyei, a border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, has killed at least 153 people.

A drone strike on Amiet Market in Abyei, a border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, struck a nearby fuel depot on Monday, killing at least 153 people and igniting a fire that was still burning the following day. Yohanna Akol Ngor, the Abyei administration's caretaker information minister, attributed the attack to Sudan's military and said the death toll was continuing to rise as the fire burned.

A senior Sudanese military officer said the army carried out the drone strike targeting fuel tankers arriving from South Sudan that were bound for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, claimed those killed were RSF members and people involved in fuel smuggling, and stated: 'We do not target civilians.' The officer said the strike took place outside the demilitarised zone along the border with South Sudan.

The U.N. secretary-general condemned drone attacks near Amiet Market and Todach, saying dozens of civilians, including women and children, had been killed and many others injured. The U.N. statement did not identify who carried out the attacks. The peacekeeping force, UNISFA, deployed medical personnel, firefighting capabilities and quick reaction forces to provide emergency treatment and help evacuate casualties. Many people remained missing and the death toll was expected to rise as casualty verification continued.

How it is being reported

• Drone strike on a market in disputed African region of Abyei kills at least 153A drone strike on a fuel depot at a market in South Sudan's disputed Abyei region has killed at least 153 people, an official said.News4Jax · 20 Oct, 16:31
• Drone strike on a market in disputed African region of Abyei kills at least 153A drone strike on a fuel depot at a market in South Sudan's disputed Abyei region has killed at least 153 people, an official said.Clickorlando · 20 Oct, 16:31

In this story: Sudan · South Sudan · Abyei · Amiet Market · Rapid Support Forces · Yohanna Akol Ngor · UNISFA

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem