An attack on an open market in the Sudanese city of Omdurman has resulted in the deaths of 54 people and left at least 158 others wounded, according to health authorities.
Details of the Attack
The assault, carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at the Sabrein Market, marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents amid the escalating civil war that has devastated the northeastern African nation. Since April 2023, the RSF has been engaged in fierce combat against the military, with no immediate comments from the paramilitary group following this tragic event.
Government Response
Khalid al-Aleisir, the minister of culture and government spokesperson, condemned the attack, emphasizing that many of the victims were women and children. He described the incident as a „criminal act” that adds to the bloody record of the militia and constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.
Impact on Healthcare
According to the Sudan’s Doctors Syndicate, a mortar shell hit dangerously close to Al-Naw Hospital, which treated the majority of the casualties from the market. Reports indicate that most of the deceased were women and children, with the hospital facing critical shortages in medical personnel, particularly surgeons and nurses. Witnesses, including Chris Lockyear from Doctors Without Borders, described the scene as one of „utter carnage,” with a morgue overwhelmed by the influx of dead bodies.
Ongoing Conflict
Last week, an RSF attack claimed the lives of approximately 70 individuals at the only operational hospital in the besieged city of El Fasher, located in western Darfur. The ongoing conflict has led to over 28,000 deaths and has displaced millions, with some families resorting to eating grass as famine grips parts of the country. Atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and widespread rape, have been reported by both the United Nations and various human rights organizations.
International Investigations
The International Criminal Court has announced investigations into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, while the U.S. government has accused the RSF and its allies of committing genocide.
Military Gains
In recent months, the RSF has suffered significant setbacks on the battlefield, allowing the military to regain control of various regions, including parts of Khartoum, Omdurman, and the city of Wad Medani, which is the capital of Gezira province and home to the country’s largest oil refinery. </>
