DEADLY DRONE STRIKE HITS SUDAN BORDER MARKET, KILLING MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE

A deadly drone strike on a crowded market in the disputed Abyei region along the Sudan–South Sudan border has reportedly killed at least 153 people, raising fresh concerns about the growing danger faced by civilians as Sudan’s conflict continues.

The attack struck Amiet Market on Monday, 19 October, according to local authorities. The strike reportedly hit a nearby fuel depot, triggering a major fire that spread through the area and made rescue operations more difficult.

Yohanna Akol Ngor, the caretaker information minister for the Abyei administration, blamed Sudan’s military for the attack. He told the Associated Press that the death toll was continuing to rise as emergency workers struggled with the consequences of the fire.

The incident has drawn international attention because the market serves as a place where people gather to buy and sell goods, conduct business and obtain essential supplies. Markets are particularly important in conflict-affected communities, where families already face shortages of food, medicine and other necessities.

FIRE AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

Reports indicate that the drone strike ignited fuel supplies near the market, creating a dangerous fire that hampered efforts to recover victims and assist the injured.

The United Nations said civilians, including women and children, had been killed in drone attacks near Amiet Market and Todach. It also reported that many people remained missing and warned that the casualty figures could change as authorities continued their investigations.

The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) deployed medical personnel, firefighting equipment and quick-reaction forces to support emergency operations.

Medical teams have also been treating injured victims. Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, reported that more than 20 wounded people had been brought to Ameth Bek Hospital, where its medical personnel were working alongside staff from South Sudan’s health ministry. Some patients reportedly suffered serious burns.

The extent of the destruction and the number of people affected have raised questions about how quickly humanitarian assistance can reach victims in an area already experiencing instability.

MILITARY EXPLANATION AND DISPUTED CLAIMS

A senior Sudanese military officer told the Associated Press that the army had carried out a drone strike targeting fuel tankers allegedly travelling from South Sudan to supply the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force fighting Sudan’s regular army.

The officer claimed those killed were RSF members and people involved in fuel smuggling. He said the military did not target civilians.

However, the Associated Press said it could not independently verify the military’s account of the intended targets or the identities of those killed.

The RSF and Sudan’s armed forces have been fighting since April 2023, when a power struggle between the country’s military leadership and the paramilitary organisation escalated into a devastating war.

Although Abyei is disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, it remains an important border region where security concerns and political tensions have complicated efforts to protect local communities.

DIPLOMATIC REACTIONS

South Sudan’s government condemned the attack and summoned Sudan’s ambassador, according to reports. The move reflects growing concern that military operations connected to Sudan’s conflict could have serious consequences beyond its immediate battlefields.

The United Nations has also condemned the deadly drone attacks, calling attention to the threat posed to civilians and essential infrastructure.

The incident comes amid reports of an increase in drone attacks across Sudan, with humanitarian organisations warning that civilians are increasingly exposed to violence.

A GROWING HUMANITARIAN CONCERN

For families who depend on markets for their daily needs, an attack of this nature can have consequences far beyond the immediate loss of life. Destroyed stalls, damaged businesses and disrupted supply routes can leave communities struggling to obtain food and other essential goods.

The strike also highlights the challenges facing emergency workers who must rescue survivors while dealing with fires, damaged buildings and continuing security risks.

As authorities work to establish the full circumstances of the attack, questions remain about accountability, the protection of civilians and the future of efforts to reduce violence along the disputed border.

The United Nations and humanitarian organisations continue to call for civilians to be protected and for all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.