CAIRO — An assault on a bustling market in Sudan’s Omdurman city, carried out by a paramilitary faction, has resulted in the deaths of 54 individuals and injured over 158, as reported by health officials on Saturday.
The strike on the Sabrein Market by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) adds to a series of violent incidents during the intensifying civil conflict that has devastated the northeastern African nation.
There has been no immediate response from the RSF, which has been engaged in combat with the national military since April 2023.
Khalid al-Aleisir, the culture minister and government spokesperson, expressed his outrage over the attack, highlighting that among the casualties were numerous women and children. He described the incident as having led to extensive destruction.
“This heinous act further stains the violent reputation of this militia,” he stated. “It embodies a clear violation of international humanitarian standards.”
According to the Sudan Doctors Syndicate, a mortar shell landed mere meters from Al-Naw Hospital, the facility that received the majority of the victims from the market chaos. The Syndicate reported that most of the deceased were women and children and noted a severe shortage of medical personnel at the hospital, particularly surgeons and nurses.
A clip shared on social media by correspondent Nezar Bogdawi from Al Arabiya TV depicted numerous body bags lined up outside the hospital. The injured being treated included individuals with severe wounds to the chest, legs, and head, with some receiving care on the floor of the hospital.
Just a week earlier, approximately 70 individuals perished in an RSF assault on the only operational hospital amidst the siege in El Fasher, located in western Darfur.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 28,000 fatalities and has displaced millions, forcing some families to resort to eating grass to survive as famine spreads across certain regions of the country.
Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations highlight the widespread atrocities committed during this conflict, including targeted killings and acts of sexual violence based on ethnic lines.
The International Criminal Court has announced it is investigating suspicions of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, the United States has accused the RSF and its allies of engaging in genocidal actions throughout the war.
Recently, the RSF has experienced several setbacks on the battlefield, resulting in the military’s gaining the upper hand. The RSF has lost control over various territories in Khartoum, including Omdurman and several eastern and central areas.
Additionally, the military has reclaimed sovereignty over the city of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, along with the country’s largest oil refinery.
