More than 150 killed in Sudan drone strike on disputed Abyei border region

More than 150 people were killed in a drone strike on a market in Abyei, a disputed border region between Sudan and South Sudan, according to local officials. The attack occurred at Amiet Market on Monday, hitting a nearby fuel depot and triggering a fire that was still burning on Tuesday. Yohanna Akol Ngor, the Abyei administration’s caretaker information minister, attributed the strike to Sudan’s military. He confirmed 153 deaths, noting the number was likely to increase as the fire raged on. Akol said the attack happened around 11 am on Monday. The fuel depot served local businesses, and the strike caused extensive damage to the market and surrounding areas. Doctors Without Borders reported that more than 20 injured individuals were treated at Ameth Bek Hospital, with several suffering severe burns. Dr. Christian Lindauer, MSF’s medical activities manager at the hospital, described the situation as dire, emphasizing the need for immediate action to protect civilians and infrastructure. South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry also blamed Sudan’s military for the attack, stating it targeted multiple locations within the market, resulting in civilian casualties and property damage. The ministry summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest the incident and urged Sudan to refrain from actions that endanger civilian lives and property. It called for resolving disputes over Abyei through diplomatic means. Sudan’s military did not respond to requests for comment. The ongoing conflict between Sudan’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated parts of the country and threatened stability along its borders. This conflict began in April 2023 and has resulted in widespread destruction and displacement. The Abyei region, rich in oil resources, remains a point of contention between Sudan and South Sudan. Its status was not resolved by the 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of civil war in Sudan. Disputes over the region persisted even after South Sudan gained independence in 2011. A proposed referendum on Abyei’s future was delayed due to disagreements over voting eligibility. The region’s majority Ngok Dinka population prefers joining South Sudan, while the Misseriya nomads favor remaining part of Sudan. Abyei has also witnessed deadly communal violence, particularly between the Ngok Dinka and Twic Dinka communities over land disputes. Local authorities warned that the death toll might increase further as the fire continues to burn. They emphasized the vulnerability of the affected population, including women, children, the elderly, local merchants, and refugees seeking safety from the broader regional conflict. The drone strike adds to a series of violent incidents in Sudan, where clashes between the military and RSF have claimed numerous lives. Recent strikes across the country have killed more than 100 people, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence and its impact on civilians. The United Nations has previously raised alarms about the risks posed by the RSF’s presence in Abyei, warning that it could intensify existing territorial disputes. The situation remains volatile, with no immediate resolution in sight for the conflicts affecting the region.