Sudanese drone strike on market kills over 150 people

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 21:02 · Archive

Sudan's military carried out a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region, killing at least 153 people according to local officials. The attack was one of several strikes in recent days that have pushed the overall toll to more than 250, underlining the lethality of air operations in Sudan's conflict.

Yohana Akol Ngor, the caretaker minister of information in Abyei, said the death toll from Monday's attack had risen from an initial 73 and was likely to rise further. 'The fire is still burning. So the recovery process of the dead ones is still continuing. The situation is terrible,' Ngor said, noting that some bodies had been burned to ashes. Video footage verified by Reuters showed charred remains of vehicles and buildings with flames still billowing from structures as residents inspected the damage.

Ngor attributed the strike to Sudan's army without providing evidence. Sudan's armed forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Three diplomatic sources, an aid worker and a conflict expert told Reuters the strike hit a fuel depot in the market, which the sources said had previously been used by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces to supply its operations. The RSF did not respond to requests for comment.

The attack is the latest in Sudan's war, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, triggering a major humanitarian crisis and drawing in local militias and foreign powers. Abyei is disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan, which declared independence in 2011.

How it is being reported

• Sudanese drone attack 'killed more than 150' in marketA local official says a drone strike on a market in Abyei, a region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, killed at least 153 people.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 20:47
• Sudanese drone attack 'killed more than 150' in marketA local official says a drone strike on a market in Abyei, a region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, killed at least 153 people.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 20:47

In this story: Sudan · South Sudan · Abyei · Sudanese Armed Forces · Rapid Support Forces · Yohana Akol Ngor

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