Drone strikes in the border region between Sudan and South Sudan have reportedly killed over 300 people, including mourners attending a funeral and market traders. The Sudanese government forces have been identified as the attackers, escalating tensions between the two countries.
On October 20, the BBC reported, citing the Sudan War Monitoring Group, that 150 people died in drone strikes on October 18 in two areas of South Kordofan. The monitoring group stated that a truck carrying about 200 mourners arrived in the village of Aldabab just before the attack. The strikes killed 145 people, and an additional five were killed when a tent where mourners had gathered was hit. Approximately 150 others were injured.
On the same day, the market in Al-Muzlad, also in South Kordofan, was targeted by a drone strike, although specific casualty figures were not confirmed. The monitoring group suggested that the drones likely launched from Kadugli, a government-controlled area in South Kordofan.
The following day, on October 19, the market in Amiet, located in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, was also struck by drones. Johanna Akol Ngor, the information minister for the Abyei region, told the Associated Press on October 20 that at least 153 people had died in this attack, a significant increase from the initial report of 73 fatalities.
The strikes ignited fires at fuel storage facilities both inside and outside the market, exacerbating the damage. Recovery efforts were ongoing at the scene, with concerns that the death toll could rise further.
A senior Sudanese military official confirmed to the Associated Press that government forces conducted airstrikes in the area but claimed they were targeting a fuel truck allegedly attempting to supply the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and did not intend to hit civilians. No official response has been provided regarding the allegations of the strikes in South Kordofan.
Analysis of satellite images by the BBC revealed extensive burn marks on several buildings northeast of the Amiet market. Footage from the scene showed large plumes of smoke and fuel trucks. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported treating over 20 injured individuals, including those with severe injuries and burns, at a nearby hospital in Amiet.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in 2023 with clashes between government forces and the RSF, has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced over 14 million people. With the recent surge in drone attacks, civilian casualties have become increasingly severe, prompting the United Nations to express concern over the deaths of civilians, including children, and the destruction of essential facilities due to drone strikes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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