In a tragic escalation of violence, at least 56 individuals lost their lives in Omdurman, Sudan, following a devastating artillery shelling and airstrike on a bustling vegetable market. The Health Ministry has reported that an additional 158 people sustained injuries during the attack, which occurred on Saturday and has been attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Khalid al-Aleisir, Sudan’s Minister of Culture and government spokesperson, condemned the assault, highlighting the heartbreaking fact that many of the casualties were women and children. He characterized the event as a severe humanitarian tragedy that not only resulted in significant loss of life but also caused widespread destruction to the surrounding area. Al-Aleisir further stated that the attack represents a glaring violation of international humanitarian law committed by the RSF.

Eyewitness accounts from residents described the chaotic scene as artillery fire rained down from western Omdurman, an area still under the control of the RSF. Witnesses recounted hearing multiple explosions while observing that rockets and shells were indiscriminately targeting various streets. A survivor recounted how the shelling directly struck the market, exacerbating the human toll of the attack.

The nearby al-Nao Hospital was overwhelmed, with staff members struggling to manage the influx of wounded individuals. Medical volunteers expressed urgent needs for essential supplies such as shrouds, blood donors, and stretchers to assist in transporting the injured.

In another related incident within Khartoum, two civilians were killed and many more wounded following an aerial attack on an area controlled by the RSF, as reported by the local Emergency Response Room (ERR). This organization is part of a network of volunteer committees across Sudan providing immediate emergency medical care amid the ongoing conflict.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a conflict between the national army and the RSF, initially ignited by disputes regarding the integration of the two military forces. The protracted violence has led to tens of thousands of deaths, forced millions from their homes, and resulted in widespread food insecurity affecting approximately half of the Sudanese population.

The recent attack occurred shortly after RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo vowed to recapture the capital from the army, asserting a determination to reclaim territorial control. Meanwhile, Sudan’s army has made efforts to regain several bases in Khartoum, gradually pushing the RSF further from the city center.

Currently, Sudan’s capital endures significant devastation, with entire neighborhoods vacated and taken over by fighters. According to the United Nations, about 3.6 million people have fled Khartoum amid the violence. Furthermore, at least 106,000 individuals are estimated to be facing famine within the city, while an additional 3.2 million people are experiencing critical levels of hunger.

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