In Sudan’s western region, at least 54 individuals have tragically lost their lives following a military airstrike on a local market, reported aid organizations on Tuesday. The strike, occurring on Monday in the village of Tora, ignited a massive fire as conveyed by Adam Rejal, a representative of the General Coordination, which aids displaced people in Darfur.
Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, speaking on behalf of the Sudanese military, dismissed the claims of civilian casualties as “incorrect,” arguing such allegations arise whenever their forces rightfully target hostile entities according to constitutional guidelines. Nonetheless, the airstrike severely damaged significant portions of Tora’s weekly market, located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of el-Fasher, North Darfur’s capital.
Support Darfur Victims, an organization dedicated to supporting those affected by the Darfur conflict, released graphic visuals seemingly depicting the aftermath—burned structures and scorched bodies scattered across the ground. Rejal provided a list of casualties, revealing that over half of the deceased were women, with at least 23 individuals injured and seven reported missing.
Condemning the incident, Rejal declared it a “crime against humanity and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian laws and conventions.” Despite the continual strikes from the formidable rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the Sudanese military maintains control over the city of el-Fasher.
The airstrike marks the latest in a succession of deadly assaults tracing back to April 2023, when escalating tensions between the military and the RSF erupted into widespread conflict nationwide. This war has devastated the capital along with other major cities, resulting in over 28,000 deaths and displacing millions. In dire straits, some families are reduced to consuming grass to stave off famine engulfing portions of the country, with some estimates projecting even higher casualties.
Atrocities, encompassing mass rape and ethnically driven killings classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity, have notably marred the hostilities, particularly in Darfur’s contested west, as highlighted by the United Nations and international human rights organizations. Recently, the military has gradually regained hold in confrontations against the RSF, notably reclaiming strategic and government buildings in Khartoum, including the key Republican Palace, the former government’s seat before the warfare.