Drone strike on market in Abyei region leaves 153 dead

According to South Sudanese officials, a drone strike carried out by the Sudanese army on Monday targeted a market in the disputed Abyei region. The death toll from the incident reached 153 people, and thousands were displaced.

According to information shared by South Sudanese officials, the death toll from the Sudanese army's drone strike on a market in the Abyei region rose from 73 to 153. It was stated that the death toll could increase due to rescue efforts and ongoing fires in the region. The strike targeted a fuel storage facility in the market, causing massive fires and complicating search and rescue operations. It was reported that approximately 8,000 people were displaced as a result of the bombardment.

While South Sudanese officials blamed the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for the attack, a spokesperson for the Sudanese army did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Diplomatic sources and aid workers stated that the targeted depot had previously been used for logistical purposes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whereas local officials denied the presence of RSF fighters at the market. Following the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan summoned the Sudanese ambassador to the ministry in protest.