A market in Kibaish city in Sudan’s West Kordofan state was attacked by drones on Monday, killing at least 28 people and injuring around 25 others.
The local civil society group “Darfur Victims Support Organization” said the attack occurred around 11 a.m., when the market was crowded, and most of the casualties were civilians. Some of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll may rise further.
According to eyewitness accounts, the intended target was believed to be a military vehicle parked outside a restaurant in the center of the market. After the explosion, the blast wave and shrapnel affected surrounding civilians, damaging multiple stalls and buildings. Medical staff at Kibaish Hospital said local medical resources are limited and the hospital is dealing with a large number of casualties.
The aid organization accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of carrying out the attack, but as of now, the Sudanese military and government have not issued an official response. Kibaish is currently located in an area controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and fighting in West Kordofan and nearby regions has intensified in recent months.
Since the full-scale armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces broke out in April 2023, the war has spread from the capital Khartoum to multiple areas including Darfur and Kordofan. The United Nations and several humanitarian organizations have stated that Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to estimates, the ongoing conflict over more than three years has caused at least 59,000 deaths, displaced millions of people, and severely damaged infrastructure and healthcare systems.
Analysts note that drone attacks on Sudan’s battlefield have significantly increased this year. Both sides have been accused of using drones to target military and logistical objectives, while civilian areas have repeatedly been affected. International human rights organizations warn that as the conflict escalates, civilian casualties and shortages of food and medical supplies may worsen further.
At present, the international community continues to push for a ceasefire and peace talks, but the warring parties have yet to reach a long-term agreement, and there are no signs of near-term de-escalation.