In Sudan, air strikes and shelling on a vegetable market in Omdurman have resulted in at least 56 deaths and 158 injuries, attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Khalid al-Aleisir condemned the attack, which particularly affected women and children. A humanitarian crisis exacerbates as conflict between the RSF and Sudanese army continues, with millions displaced and starving.
At least 56 individuals tragically lost their lives during artillery shelling and air assaults that struck a vegetable market in Omdurman, Sudan. The Health Ministry reported that an additional 158 individuals sustained injuries in the attack, which has been attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Witnesses described intense artillery fire and drone support from western Omdurman, where the RSF maintains control.
Khalid al-Aleisir, the culture minister and government spokesperson, condemned the attack, highlighting the heavy toll on women and children. He deemed this act a severe breach of international humanitarian law and criticized the RSF’s violent record. As the assault unfolded, survivors reported that rockets and shells fell in the heart of the market, leading to numerous casualties.
The medical staff at the nearby al-Nao Hospital faced overwhelming numbers of casualties and urgently called for additional supplies, including blood donors and stretchers. In a related incident in Khartoum, two civilians lost their lives, with many more wounded due to another air attack targeting an RSF-controlled area. The Emergency Response Room, which coordinates local emergency response in Sudan, provided these reports.
The conflict erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the RSF over military integration, resulting in extensive casualties and widespread displacement. Recently, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo asserted his intention to reclaim the capital from the army, amid a backdrop of mounting violence. Thousands have perished nationwide, and a staggering 3.6 million individuals have fled Khartoum, contributing to a humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 106,000 individuals in Khartoum are affected by famine, while an additional 3.2 million are facing critical levels of hunger. The situation continues to deteriorate, with entire neighborhoods vacant and impoverished amid ongoing hostilities. This cycle of violence underscores the dire humanitarian implications facing millions in Sudan.
Sudan has experienced escalating violence since April 2023 due to the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict initially arose from contentious integration attempts between the two military factions and has led to a catastrophic humanitarian landscape. The fighting has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, triggering a severe food crisis affecting significant portions of the population.
The tragic attack on the Omdurman market highlights the brutal realities of the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the army and RSF, with civilian populations suffering catastrophic losses. As humanitarian conditions worsen, with widespread displacement and hunger, the international community faces challenges in adequately responding to the crisis. Urgent attention is needed to address the ongoing violence and its devastating impact on civilians.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
