A recent airstrike by the Sudanese military on the Tur'rah market in Darfur has reportedly killed hundreds, according to war monitors. This attack adds to a growing list of civilian casualties in a conflict that has displaced millions and led to severe food insecurity across Sudan.
Civilian Casualties Soar as Sudan Army Conducts Airstrikes on Market in Darfur
Civilian Casualties Soar as Sudan Army Conducts Airstrikes on Market in Darfur
The Sudanese military faces accusations of a deadly airstrike on a civilian market, raising concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis amidst ongoing conflict in the region.
A Sudanese war monitor has accused the military of perpetrating a deadly airstrike on the Tur'rah market in Darfur, claiming that hundreds of civilians were killed and many more injured in the attack. The Emergency Lawyers group, which documents human rights abuses in the ongoing civil war, described the bombing as a "horrific massacre." Videos circulating on social media, some shared by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—a rival paramilitary group—depict the horrifying aftermath, showing burning market stalls and mutilated bodies.
Military officials have countered these allegations, asserting that their operations targeted only legitimate military threats. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF have faced accusations of endangering civilian lives through indiscriminate bombardment of populated areas. While the RSF has been deploying drones, the Sudanese military has relied on its aircraft for strategic bombings against RSF positions across the region.
The exact date of the airstrike remains unconfirmed, but a Darfur advocacy group labeled it the "deadliest single bombing since the start of the war," suggesting it took place earlier in the week. The broader conflict has already displaced approximately 12 million Sudanese and resulted in regional famine, with the United Nations reporting that over half of the nation is grappling with severe food insecurity.
Estimates concerning casualties in the ongoing conflict suggest that at least 150,000 individuals may have lost their lives. The RSF has been adamant in denying accusations of genocide and other serious human rights violations, even as reports of ethnic cleansing continue to emerge. Consequently, the United Nations has classified Sudan as facing the most severe humanitarian crisis worldwide.
This unfolding tragedy highlights the urgent need for immediate international intervention and consistent support for humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people amidst ongoing violence.
