At least 153 people have been killed in a drone strike on a market in Abyei, a disputed territory between Sudan and South Sudan, as deadly attacks continue amid Sudan’s ongoing war.
The attack occurred on Monday at Amiet market, north of Abyei town, according to Yohanna Akol Ngor, the caretaker information minister of the Abyei administration.
Akol blamed Sudan’s military for the strike but did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
The Sudanese military had not responded to a request for comment as of the time of reporting.
“We have recorded 153 deaths,” Akol said.
A witness reported hearing five powerful explosions during the attack, which reportedly triggered a fire at a nearby fuel depot.
The witness said residents rushed to evacuate the injured, many of whom had suffered shrapnel wounds to their stomachs and legs.
“People started evacuating the casualties. They had injuries from shrapnel on their stomach and legs … In one site, I saw 28 bodies that were burnt,” the witness said, asking not to be named for safety reasons.
Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, confirmed that more than 20 injured people had been taken to Ameth Bek hospital following the incident.
The medical organisation said its teams were working alongside personnel from South Sudan’s health ministry to treat the victims, including patients with serious injuries and burns.
“So far we received over 20 patients, including several critical cases. Patients with burns were also admitted,” said Dr Christian Lindauer, MSF’s medical activities manager at the hospital.
South Sudan’s foreign ministry also accused Sudan’s military of carrying out the attack.
It said it had summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest and called on Khartoum to avoid actions that put civilians and their property at risk.
“We urge Sudan to refrain from any actions that endanger civilian lives and property,” the ministry said.
The latest incident has raised the death toll from attacks in recent days to more than 250, highlighting the growing impact of airstrikes on civilians caught up in Sudan’s conflict.
The war began in April 2023 following fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
On Sunday, another drone strike killed 80 people near a market in West Kordofan state.
Most of the victims were reportedly commuters attempting to find transport home when the attack occurred.
In a separate incident on Friday, an attack on a market in Nyala, an RSF-controlled city, killed 23 people and injured 44, according to local volunteers.
MSF has called on all parties involved in the conflict to stop attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The organisation also expressed concern about the difficulties people face in accessing healthcare and other essential services safely.
Amiet market serves as an important trading centre for the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities in Abyei.
The territory remains disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, which both claim the oil-rich region.
The two countries have jointly administered Abyei since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.
The predominantly Ngok Dinka population generally supports joining South Sudan, while Misseriya nomads, who depend on the area’s pastures, favour remaining under Sudan.
Abyei has also experienced repeated communal violence, including disputes over land between the Ngok Dinka and neighbouring Twic Dinka communities.
