At least 153 people have allegedly been killed following a devastating drone attack on Amiet Market in the disputed border region of Abyei, claimed by both South Sudan and Sudan. Local officials in South Sudan stated that fires continue to rage at the site of the marketplace, warning that the death toll is expected to rise significantly as rescue operations unfold and numerous individuals remain missing.

Yohanna Akol Ngor, the caretaker information minister for the Abyei administration, purportedly blamed the Sudanese military for the deadly strike, describing the situation on the ground as catastrophic. South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation echoed these accusations, announcing that the Sudanese ambassador had been summoned and demanding that Khartoum refrain from endangering civilian lives and critical infrastructure.

Conversely, a senior Sudanese military official, speaking under condition of anonymity, claimed that the armed forces targeted fuel tankers originating from South Sudan that were allegedly destined for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The official asserted that those killed were combatants and fuel smugglers rather than civilians, maintaining that the military does not intentionally target non-combatants, though these assertions remain unverified by independent monitors.

International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed deep concern over the escalation, with a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general condemning the strikes near Amiet Market and Todach. The UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) is currently verifying casualties, while medical agencies such as Doctors Without Borders treat numerous patients suffering from severe burns. The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023, continues to exacerbate regional instability and humanitarian suffering.

Source: www.aljazeera.com