A drone strike on the Dumaya market in Nyala, South Darfur, on Monday evening, resulted in significant casualties, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The strike, carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces, killed at least 36 people and injured over 150. MSF reported that Nyala Teaching Hospital received 36 bodies, with 21 of the dead wearing civilian clothing. The attack also targeted a residential neighbourhood.
The health ministry of the Tasees government reported a much higher toll on Tuesday, stating that 188 people had been killed and 356 injured in the attack. The ministry said the figures were based on reports from health institutions and medical teams working on the ground. However, the discrepancy between the MSF and Tasees government casualty figures remains unresolved. The conflicting reports highlight the challenges in verifying information in conflict zones.
Medical teams treated more than 150 injured people, many with shrapnel wounds and severe burns. The wounded were transported to hospital in tuk-tuks and donkey-drawn carts, according to Del Koninckx, MSF’s project coordinator in Nyala. Medical staff worked around the clock to treat patients, including women and children, who were deeply traumatised by the attack.
The Sudan Liberation Movement, led by Abdel Wahid El Nur, announced that five members of the family of one of its members had been killed in the strike. The victims were named as Iman Mohammed Abulgasim, Fatima Ismail, Sara Yacoub, Hassan Abdel Moneim, and Mawahib Ali. The attack has been widely condemned, with MSF expressing concern about the targeting of markets and civilian infrastructure.
MSF condemns attacks on markets, describing them as places where people obtain food and where large numbers of civilians gather. “Why are markets being targeted?” Koninckx asked, highlighting the need for parties to the conflict to protect civilians. The strike followed a separate drone attack on Nyala’s livestock market on 16 October, which killed at least four people and injured several others.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have also reportedly carried out drone strikes against electricity infrastructure in several states. The civilian administration in South Darfur condemned the attack on Dumaya market, calling on the international community to launch an urgent investigation into the attack. Those affected included women selling falafel, snacks, and tea.
The strike has exacerbated concerns about the humanitarian situation in South Darfur, with MSF warning that attacks on markets expose civilians to violence and threaten their access to food and essential supplies as malnutrition worsens. The international community has been urged to take action to protect civilians and investigate the attack.
Key points
- The Sudanese Armed Forces carried out a drone strike on a crowded market in Nyala, South Darfur, killing at least 36 people.
- The Tasees government reports 188 people killed and 356 injured in the attack, while MSF confirms 36 deaths.
- The attack has been widely condemned, with MSF expressing concern about the targeting of markets and civilian infrastructure.
