Sudan: Deadly Shelling at Market Claims Dozens of Lives

A brutal artillery shelling at a busy market near Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has left more than 100 dead and injured, medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on February 2.

The attack, which took place on Saturday in the city of Omdurman, is believed to have been carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), although the RSF has denied responsibility. The devastating assault has filled local mortuaries with bodies, many of which belong to women and children, as confirmed by the Sudanese Doctors’ Union. The humanitarian impact of the attack is dire, coming amid ongoing civil conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s army.

Omdurman has been a hotspot for intensified fighting in recent weeks, with the Sudanese army escalating its efforts to regain control of the area, which remains under the influence of the RSF. Eyewitnesses reported that the shelling originated from western Omdurman, an area still held by the RSF, leading to catastrophic damage and an overwhelming influx of casualties. MSF’s general secretary, Chris Lockyear, described the situation as “utter carnage,” with nearby hospitals, particularly Al Nao, struggling to cope with the sheer number of injured. The Sudanese Doctors’ Union has called for additional medical support, as the local health system has been stretched to breaking point.

The attack highlights the devastating toll of the ongoing civil war between Sudan’s army and the RSF, which has led to tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions. Both sides have been accused of indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including targeting healthcare facilities and residential areas. The recent violence has severely impacted medical services, forcing some health centres to close and leaving countless people without access to vital care. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Sudan grows increasingly dire, with the UN describing it as one of the world’s worst crises.