A devastating drone attack on an open market in Khartoum’s May neighbourhood has left at least 43 people dead and over 55 injured, according to activists and medical workers. The attack, which came as the military and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), continue to battle for control of the country, has sparked fresh violence across Sudan.
The RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has blamed the military’s air force for the attack, although the claim has not been independently verified. The RSF has been accused of brutal attacks on ethnic African groups in the Darfur region, which has resulted in the displacement of millions of people. In the latest chapter of this ongoing conflict, fierce clashes have erupted in al-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, following an attack on a military facility by the RSF.
The war in Sudan has already claimed over 4,000 lives, according to August figures from the United Nations, but the real toll is likely much higher. The number of internally displaced people has nearly doubled since mid-April to reach at least 7.1 million, with another 1.1 million refugees in neighbouring countries. Chad has received the largest number of refugees, with over 465,000 people fleeing the country.
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Via Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo/Twitter)
The conflict has reduced the Greater Khartoum area to a battleground, with both factions engaging in indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes. The paramilitary forces have commandeered civilian homes and turned them into operational bases, while the military has responded by bombing residential areas, resulting in significant human suffering.
Despite the devastating consequences of this conflict, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has urged warring factions to stop fighting, stating that humanitarians need to be able to bring in food, medicine, and shelter items to those who need them most. The conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, with no end in sight, leaving millions of people vulnerable and uncertain about their future.
