A recent attack on a vegetable market in Omdurman, Sudan, resulted in at least 56 deaths and 158 injuries. The assault, attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), caused widespread destruction and highlighted ongoing violence amidst the conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF. The health system is overwhelmed with casualties, and urgent humanitarian needs are escalating in the region.
At least 56 individuals tragically lost their lives due to artillery shelling and air strikes targeting a vegetable market in Omdurman, Sudan. The Health Ministry has reported that an additional 158 people sustained injuries during the assault, which has been attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Witnesses expressed horror as rockets and artillery shells rained down, causing significant civilian casualties as the shells exploded in the heart of the market.
Khalid al-Aleisir, the Minister of Culture and government spokesperson, unequivocally condemned this attack, highlighting that many of the casualties were women and children. He described the incident as a “criminal act” and a severe infringement of international humanitarian law. The RSF, which maintains control of the region from where the shelling originated, is reported to have employed drone support during the attacks.
The local al-Nao Hospital reported an influx of casualties, with staff overwhelmed and urgently requesting medical supplies such as shrouds, blood donors, and stretchers to assist the wounded. In a related incident, Khartoum witnessed two civilian deaths and multiple injuries resulting from an airstrike in an area controlled by the RSF, indicating the ongoing violence in the region.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has persisted since April 2023, primarily driven by disputes over the integration of the two forces. This sustained warfare has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has displaced millions, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis where half of the population faces food insecurity.
This latest attack occurred shortly after RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo vowed to reclaim the capital from the army. The violence has drastically altered the landscape of Sudan’s capital, with entire neighborhoods devastated and approximately 3.6 million people displaced, according to the United Nations. Moreover, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification estimates that at least 106,000 individuals in Khartoum are experiencing famine conditions, with an additional 3.2 million facing crisis levels of hunger.
The violence in Sudan has escalated significantly since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, which saw tensions between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary RSF come to a head over the integration of their forces. The ongoing warfare has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian situation, with widespread displacement, food insecurity, and numerous civilian casualties. The situation is exacerbated by systematic attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure, leading to a critical need for humanitarian assistance and intervention to protect vulnerable populations.
In summary, the recent air and artillery strikes in Omdurman have resulted in 56 deaths and over 158 injuries, underscoring the relentless violence in Sudan. The clear targeting of civilians, especially in marketplaces, raises serious concerns regarding adherence to international humanitarian law. The ongoing conflict has created a dire humanitarian crisis, necessitating urgent international attention and intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
