Sudan Accuses Neighbor of Deadly Drone Strike in Disputed Territory

The South Sudanese Foreign Ministry summoned Sudan's Ambassador Essam Mohamed Karrar to express strong objection to the attack, which occurred Monday morning.

Abyei's information minister, Yohana Akol Ngor, stated the market was hit by several drones, including a fuel depot used by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A military source told the BBC the army carried out the Abyei attack. The UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed alarm over continued deadly drone strikes across the country that are killing civilians.

Between Sunday and Monday, strikes across Sudan killed more than 100 people, according to authorities. The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has created a severe humanitarian crisis. The Abyei region is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan urged Khartoum to prevent similar incidents and resolve disagreements diplomatically. The UN noted that 20 million people face acute hunger, with a rising risk of famine in parts of Darfur and Greater Kordofan.