Sudan army drones kill more than 200 in attacks on market and funeral

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 15:58 · Archive

Sudan's army has been accused of launching drone strikes that killed more than 200 people in West Kordofan state on Sunday evening and Monday, according to sources tracked by the Sudan War Observatory. Deaths from strikes in two areas totalled 150 on Sunday, whilst in Abyei, a disputed border area between Sudan and South Sudan, 73 people were killed when drones hit a market on Monday, the region's information minister said. A truck carrying people to a funeral was also targeted.

A military source told the BBC the army had carried out the Abyei attack, saying the market was a fuel supply site for the RSF paramilitary group. The strikes have raised tensions between Sudan and South Sudan, which jointly administer Abyei. South Sudan has summoned Sudan's ambassador to lodge a formal protest over the incident. Fears have been raised that the conflict could spill across the border into South Sudan.

The conflict between Sudan's army and the RSF, which erupted in 2023, has already created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced more than 14 million. Despite a partial arms embargo, foreign countries have been supplying both sides with drones, which are increasingly becoming the weapon of choice in the conflict.

How it is being reported

• Sudan drone strike kills around 150 in Abyei marketA drone strike hit a market in the Abyei border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan and killed dozens. The drone caused a large fire when it hit a fuel depot. South Sudanese officials blamed Sudan's military.DW News · 20 Oct, 19:09
• More than 150 killed in Sudan drone strike on disputed Abyei border regionAt least 153 people have been killed in a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region, where a fire at a nearby fuel depot continued to burn on Tuesday. Local officials blamed Sudan’s military for Monday’s attack, which also left dozens injured.France 24 · 20 Oct, 17:24
• Sudan army drones hit mourners and fuel market killing more than 200 people, sources sayA truck carrying people to a funeral and a market alleged to be supplying fuel to the RSF were targeted.BBC World · 20 Oct, 15:24

In this story: Sudan · South Sudan · Abyei · West Kordofan · Rapid Support Forces · Sudan War Observatory

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