An attack on an open market at Omdurman has killed at least 54 people and left another 158 injured, according to the health ministry of Sudan. The assault by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) into the Sabrein Market occurred on Saturday has been widely condemned.
Government spokesperson Khalid al-Aleisir criticized the assault. He reported that many women and children died, and also destroyed private and public property “without any value,” describing it as a “criminal act”. He added: “This militia continues to violate international humanitarian law,”.
The violence is part of the continuing conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the RSF. Over 28,000 people have been killed since the fighting started, millions displaced, and famine worsening across the country. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have documented severe atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence. The International Criminal Court is investigating possible war crimes.
It’s been two days since RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo pledged to reclaim Khartoum from the army, telling them, “We kicked them out before, and we’ll do it again.” The capital has been subjected to almost two years of incessant shelling, and large neighborhoods have been left abandoned as millions suffer through starvation.
UN estimates indicate at least 106,000 in Khartoum living in famine while millions more are experiencing crisis levels of hunger. Darfur already declared famine in five of its regions.
Before leaving office, the Biden administration sanctioned Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Daglo, who have been accused of war crimes including attacks on civilians and starvation as a weapon.