Attack balance of 153 dead with drones against a market in Sudan

153 dead in drone attack on Sudan October 20, 2026A drone attack against a market in Abyei, a disputed border region between Sudan and South Sudan, reached a nearby fuel depot, causing the deaths of at least 153 people and triggering a fire that was still active on Tuesday (10/20/2026), according to a local official. Yohanna Akol Ngor, interim Minister of Information for the Abyei administration, attributed the attack on Monday against the Amiet market, located north of the town of Abyei, to the Sudanese army. "We have registered 153 deaths," Ngor stated to The Associated Press by phone this Tuesday. He added that the number of dead, which had previously been over one hundred, continued to increase while the fire continued to burn. "We did not attack civilians" A high-ranking Sudanese military official stated that the army carried out a drone attack on tanker trucks arriving from South Sudan, which, according to him, were intended for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The official spoke on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorized to speak to the press. The military official pointed out that the dead were members of the RSF and people involved in fuel smuggling. "We did not attack civilians," he assured. The AP agency could not independently verify his version regarding the targets or the identity of the deceased. The official indicated that the attack took place outside the demilitarized zone along the border with South Sudan. The RSF did not respond to Reuters' attempts to obtain their version of events. More than twenty injured hospitalized The organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that more than twenty injured people were transferred to Ameth Bek hospital, where their teams work alongside the personnel of the Ministry of Health of South Sudan. "So far we have received more than 20 patients, including several critical cases. People with burns have also been admitted," explained Dr. Christian Lindauer, MSF medical activities manager at that hospital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan also held the Sudanese army responsible, pointing out that the attack impacted several points of the market, causing civilian casualties and significant material damage. The Ministry communicated that it has summoned the Sudanese ambassador to present a protest and has urged Sudan to "refrain from any action that endangers the lives and property of civilians." With this attack, the number of fatalities recorded in recent days exceeds 250, highlighting the lethality of aerial bombardments in the war in Sudan. The conflict, which broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has unleashed a severe humanitarian crisis and involved local militias and foreign powers. Do not let the algorithm hide the news. If you trust this site for reliable information, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google: click here and check the box or press the DW.com button to always see our verified news in your preferences. lgc (ap, rtr)