Drone Strike in Nyala Claims Over 100 Lives
A devastating drone attack on a market in Nyala, South Darfur, has resulted in more than 100 fatalities and numerous injuries.
Over 100 people killed and 113 injured in a drone strike in Nyala.
The attack targeted Tanqong Market, raising concerns over civilian safety.
Sudan's ongoing conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
A tragic drone strike on a bustling market in Nyala, South Darfur, on Monday evening has left over 100 individuals dead and at least 113 others injured. This incident, reported by various rights groups and local officials, underscores the escalating violence in Sudan amidst ongoing conflict.
The strike occurred at Tanqong Market in the Dumaya neighbourhood, an area currently under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Emergency Lawyers, a group monitoring violence in Sudan, attributed the attack to the Sudanese military and has called for an independent inquiry into the incident. The humanitarian implications of such strikes are severe, as they directly target civilian spaces.
According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), 36 deceased individuals were received at their facility in Nyala, while their emergency room treated around 150 injured victims. Dr. Alaa al-Din Nugud, the health minister in the RSF-aligned Tasis administration, confirmed that 102 civilians had died and 113 were injured, stating that medical teams were dispatched immediately to assist those affected.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the drone strike occurred while civilians were engaged in daily activities, such as shopping and having breakfast. Adam Musa Obama, the executive director of the Darfur Victims Organization, reported that his organization documented 14 civilian fatalities, including 12 women and six children. The discrepancy in casualty figures highlights the chaotic nature of the situation, with various sources reporting differing numbers of fatalities and injuries.
The use of drone strikes has become increasingly prevalent in Sudan's ongoing conflict, posing a significant threat to civilian safety. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF have employed explosive-laden drones, targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and markets. The United Nations has classified these drone attacks as one of the most lethal threats to civilians in the ongoing conflict, which has been raging since April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and millions displaced, creating a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale.
