Militia group assaults Sudanese open market, resulting in 54 deaths and numerous injuries

CAIRO — A tragic incident occurred in Omdurman, Sudan, where a recent assault on an open market resulted in the deaths of 54 individuals and injured over 158 others, according to health officials on Saturday.

The assault on the Sabrein Market was carried out by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and marks the latest in a series of violent incidents amidst the ongoing civil conflict that has severely impacted the northeastern part of Africa.

Currently, there has been no response from the RSF regarding these events, as they continue to engage in hostilities against the national military, a conflict that has been ongoing since April 2023.

Khalid al-Aleisir, the culture minister and government spokesperson, strongly condemned the attack, highlighting that many of the casualties were women and children, and that the assault resulted in significant destruction.

“This heinous act adds to the already bloody history of this militia,” he stated. “It represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law.”

Reports from the Sudan Doctors Syndicate revealed that a mortar shell exploded just meters from al-Naw Hospital, which admitted a large number of the injured from the market. Furthermore, they indicated that most of the deceased were women and children and noted a critical lack of medical personnel, including surgeons and nurses at the facility.

During the influx of casualties, Chris Lockyear, the secretary general of Doctors Without Borders, was present at the hospital. He shared his views on the situation, stating, “Dozens and dozens of individuals have suffered devastating injuries; the morgue is overflowing with bodies. What I’m witnessing is pure devastation, yet another heartbreaking example of this unrelenting war against civilians.”

A video shared on social media by Nezar Bogdawi from Al Arabiya TV illustrated the grim scene outside the hospital, with numerous body bags gathered in a line. Among the wounded being treated—some even on the floor—were individuals with serious injuries, including one with a chest wound, another with a leg injury, and a patient with a head injury.

In a statement late Saturday, the Sudanese army claimed to have successfully driven out remnants of the RSF from areas such as Rifa’a, Tambul, Al-Hilaliya, and Al-Hasahisa in Gezeira.

Just last week, approximately 70 people were reported killed due to an RSF assault on the lone operational hospital in El Fasher, a city that remains encircled in the western Darfur region.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in the loss of over 28,000 lives, displacing millions and leading some families to resort to eating grass in a desperate bid to survive as famine spreads through parts of the nation.

The violence has been characterized by grievous crimes, including ethnic cleansing and sexual violence, as documented by the United Nations and various human rights organizations.

The International Criminal Court is actively investigating claims of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the conflict. The U.S. government has accused the RSF and its affiliates of committing acts of genocide during the war.

Recent months have seen the RSF sustain severe setbacks in military engagements, resulting in the armed forces gaining an advantage. The RSF has lost control in numerous territories, including Omdurman, and has seen military advancements in the eastern and central regions of Sudan.

The military has also reclaimed control of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, alongside the country’s largest oil refinery.