Drone strike on Abyei market killed at least 153, local officials say

A drone strike hit a market in the disputed Abyei area between Sudan and South Sudan on Monday morning, according to AllAfrica. Local officials cited by AllAfrica and Reuters put the death toll at 153 or more.

Vocemundi has not independently confirmed these details. All accounts reviewed by Vocemundi come through one outlet, AllAfrica. It cites Reuters, the Associated Press, a UN statement, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the British embassy and local officials.

What is reported

The strike hit Amiet market, also known as Al-Naam, north of Abyei town, according to AllAfrica. The drone struck a fuel depot. This set off major explosions and fires that burned until Tuesday. Emergency teams had great difficulty recovering bodies from the rubble.

Local officials said the death toll rose from 73 to 153. They expect it to rise further because many people are still listed as missing. Yohana Akol Ngor, acting information minister for the Abyei area, told Reuters that the toll could increase as search and recovery work continued, according to AllAfrica.

Local authorities said the attack displaced about 8,000 people. MSF said its teams treated more than 20 injured people at Amiet Biek hospital. Some had severe burns and critical injuries.

A UN statement, seen by Radio Dabanga, said the toll could rise as the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) verifies casualties. UNISFA sent medical staff, firefighting equipment and rapid-response forces, according to the statement.

South Sudan's government summoned Sudan's ambassador to protest. Protests against the attack took place in Abyei on Tuesday.

What is disputed

Responsibility has not been independently verified. A Sudanese military official's account of the target could not be independently verified, AllAfrica said. The reports do not include any evidence that fuel tankers intended for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were at the market. They also do not include an on-record statement from Sudan's government or armed forces, or any response from the RSF.

What each side says

• South Sudan's government blamed the Sudanese Armed Forces.
• A senior Sudanese military official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, acknowledged that the army carried out a drone strike. The official said it targeted fuel tankers believed to be meant for the RSF. The official denied that civilians were deliberately targeted.
• The UN secretary-general condemned drone attacks on Monday that reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, near Amiet and Todach markets, and injured many others. He said international law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. He urged Sudan and South Sudan to prevent further attacks and preserve Abyei's status as a demilitarised area.
• The British embassy condemned attacks on civilians and called for an independent and comprehensive investigation.

The reports do not include a total count of the injured, UNISFA's own verified figures, or a breakdown of the victims. They also do not give separate casualty figures for Todach market.

Analysis

The reported toll of at least 153, with many still missing, comes in Abyei, an area the UN secretary-general says should remain demilitarised. Much remains unverified. Only one outlet's reporting was available, and responsibility rests on South Sudan's accusation and an anonymous acknowledgement. If Sudan's army confirms the account on the record, debate may shift to whether striking fuel in a busy market met humanitarian-law obligations. If it denies it, calls for an independent investigation, such as the British embassy's, may gain weight. UNISFA's verified figures could also change the picture. Diplomatic strain between Juba and Khartoum is one possible outcome, not a certainty.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.