Deadly Attack on Commercial Hub
South Sudanese authorities confirmed on Tuesday that approximately 73 people were killed and 19 others injured following a drone strike targeting a market in the Abyei region. The incident occurred on Monday and has intensified tensions between Khartoum and Juba over the border territory.
John Akol Ngur, the acting Minister of Information for the Abyei Area, stated that the Armed Forces of Sudan utilized multiple unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct the assault. He identified the target as the Ostrich Market, also known as Amiit Market, located north of the city of Abyei. Ngur explicitly accused the Sudanese military of executing the operation, which resulted in significant loss of life and injuries among civilians present at the site.
Destruction of Infrastructure and Humanitarian Crisis
The Abyei Area Administration issued a statement detailing the aftermath of the bombardment, noting that the infrastructure of the market was completely destroyed. This devastation has eliminated essential sources of livelihood for the local population, exacerbating an already deteriorating humanitarian situation. The attack forced survivors to flee toward the city of Abyei, thereby increasing pressure on local emergency resources and services.
Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Context
In response to the incident, South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Sudanese ambassador in Juba. During the meeting, the government conveyed its protest and deep concern regarding the attack, highlighting the threats it poses to civilian security and stability in the Abyei region. As of Tuesday, the Sudanese government had not issued any comment addressing the accusations leveled against its army.
Abyei remains a focal point of dispute between Sudan and South Sudan due to its oil-rich reserves. Both nations claim sovereignty over the area, yet its final status remains unresolved since South Sudan’s independence in 2011. The region is currently governed under temporary administrative and security arrangements agreed upon by both sides. It serves as a critical commercial corridor, facilitating the movement of goods and fuel to areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in western Sudan. The RSF has been engaged in a conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023, controlling extensive territories including West Kordofan state, which borders Abyei. The region has frequently experienced waves of violence, often involving clashes between ethnic groups or competing armed factions.
