Drone strike in disputed southern Sudan area kills at least seventy, minister says
At least 73 people were killed when drones struck a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border of South Sudan and Sudan on Monday
At least seventy individuals were killed in a drone strike targeting a market in the disputed Abyei region, situated between South Sudan and Sudan, according to Ahmed Wadi, the caretaker information minister of Abyei. Wadi accused Sudan's army of carrying out the attack, though he did not supply evidence to back his claim. A witness told the Guardian that the strike resulted in 50 fatalities, including his brother Mohamed.
A medical source cited by the Guardian reported that 30 people succumbed to their injuries following the strike, bringing the total to 80 casualties. Another drone strike on Al-Mujlad injured four individuals who are currently receiving treatment, though the Jerusalem Post has not confirmed the figures provided by the medical source.
The Abyei region is an oil-rich area jointly governed by South Sudan and Sudan, both of which claim territorial rights to it. The region has frequently experienced violence, often involving rival ethnic groups or armed militias. At least seventy people have lost their lives, and 19 have been wounded in the most recent incident. Sudanese armed forces shot down multiple drones in response to the attack, according to Yohana Akol Ngor, the caretaker minister of information for Abyei.
In a previous drone attack on a UN base in Abyei last year, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed, and eight were wounded, as reported by Bangladesh's armed forces. South Sudan's foreign ministry stated in a late Monday statement that a market north of Abyei town was struck by drones, but did not disclose the number of civilian casualties.
The ministry summoned the Sudanese ambassador to convey the government's strong protest and deep concern about the attack and its impact on civilian security and the stability of the Abyei Area. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a medical charity, reported that they were treating over 20 wounded patients at the nearby Ameth Bek Hospital, including several critical cases.
Several patients suffered burns and required surgical intervention and wound dressing, along with other emergency medical care.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
