Sudanese Airstrike on Market in North Darfur Kills Over 100 People, Injures Hundreds

 

A military airstrike by Sudanese forces on a market in North Darfur has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 100 people and left hundreds injured, according to the Emergency Lawyers, a pro-democracy group documenting human rights abuses during Sudan's ongoing conflict. The attack took place on Monday, December 9, in Kabkabiya, a town that has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since May.

The airstrike occurred during the town's weekly market day, when residents from nearby villages had gathered to shop. The group stated that the attack resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals, including women and children, and left hundreds more wounded. Footage shared by the Darfur General Coordination of Camps for the Displaced and Refugees depicted the aftermath, showing people sifting through rubble and the charred remains of victims. However, AFP has not independently verified the footage.

In addition to the airstrike, the Emergency Lawyers reported that barrel bombs were dropped on three neighborhoods in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, on the same day, though no casualties were recorded. A drone crash in North Kordofan on November 26 exploded on Monday, killing six people.

The lawyers condemned the attacks as part of an "escalation campaign" targeting civilian areas. Both Sudan's army and the RSF have been accused of indiscriminately bombing civilian populations, with residential areas being deliberate targets of these attacks.

The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, creating a dire humanitarian crisis. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has called for international intervention, warning that nearly 26 million people—approximately half of Sudan's population—are at risk of starvation. Fletcher described the situation as devastating, urging the international community not to turn its back on Sudan's suffering.

Darfur, one of the most heavily impacted regions, now shelters more than half of Sudan's displaced population, with the war pushing the country to the brink of famine.