A drone strike targeted a busy market in central Sudan, resulting in the death of 28 individuals, as per a report by a human rights organization on Monday. The ongoing conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated in Sudan’s Kordofan region, specifically in an area controlled by the paramilitary forces.
The incident took place at the al-Safiya market near Sodari in North Kordofan, where multiple drones struck the area on Sunday, as stated by the Emergency Lawyers group, which monitors human rights violations in the region. The attack occurred during peak hours when the market was crowded with civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. However, the reported death toll is tentative, and the responsible party behind the strike remains undisclosed.
Sodari, a remote town crucial for desert trade routes, is located approximately 230 kilometers northwest of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. The RSF has been attempting to encircle El-Obeid for several months, intensifying the conflict in the region.
The Kordofan area has witnessed an increase in drone attacks, with both factions vying for control over Sudan’s vital east-west axis. This axis connects the RSF-held Darfur region in the west, passes through El-Obeid, and extends to Khartoum, the capital controlled by the army, and other parts of Sudan.
Throughout the conflict, civilians in remote towns and villages have been caught in the crossfire, resulting in significant casualties. Recent incidents include the death of two children and injuries to several others in an attack on a school. Furthermore, a United Nations warehouse storing essential famine relief supplies sustained severe damage in another strike.
After solidifying their dominance in Darfur last year, the RSF has expanded their presence eastward into the resource-rich Kordofan region, aiming to secure Sudan’s central corridor.
Since April 2023, the conflict between the army and the RSF has led to the loss of tens of thousands of lives, underscoring the devastating impact of the prolonged war.
