A devastating drone attack on an open market south of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has resulted in the loss of at least 40 lives, according to reports from activists and medical workers. The attack occurred amidst an ongoing power struggle between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leaving the city in a state of chaos and in dire need of medical assistance for the dozens of injured individuals.
![Smoke rises above buildings after an aerial bombardment during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan [File: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sudan-300x200.webp)
Disturbing footage shared on social media by the resistance committees showed bodies wrapped in white sheets in an open yard at the hospital, highlighting the devastating impact of the attack.
Hiba Morgan, reported that the drone attack was carried out by the Sudanese army. While it remains unclear whether all the victims were civilians, the urgent need for medical assistance for the injured is undeniable.
The conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has been ongoing for nearly five months, with no signs of a resolution in sight. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Army, expressed openness to initiatives such as the Jeddah Forum during his inspection tours to military camps. However, he emphasized that the army would not tolerate any unacceptable interference.
Morgan noted that despite the existence of initiatives, there has been no tangible progress on the ground. Over the past two months, there have been no ceasefires between the warring factions, leaving the people of Sudan without respite from the violence.
The clashes between the military and the RSF have spread to various parts of the country, turning the greater Khartoum area into a battleground. RSF troops have reportedly taken over civilian homes and converted them into operational bases, prompting the military to respond with bombings of residential areas, according to rights groups and activists.
In addition to the conflict in Khartoum, the western Darfur region has witnessed a surge in ethnic violence, with the RSF and allied Arab militias targeting ethnic African groups. The United Nations and rights groups have reported that the conflict has claimed the lives of over 4,000 people, although doctors and activists believe the actual number to be much higher.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with the number of internally displaced people nearly doubling since mid-April, reaching a staggering 7.1 million, according to the UN refugee agency. Additionally, 1.1 million Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries.
As the situation in Sudan deteriorates, urgent international attention and assistance are required to address the escalating violence and provide much-needed medical aid to the affected population.
Source: Al Jazeera