On Saturday, a devastating airstrike by the Sudanese military hit a busy market in the southern part of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people and injuring more than 40 others. The airstrike targeted the Al-Souk Al-Markazy (central market) in Khartoum, which is near one of the main camps of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The attack occurred during intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, a conflict that has been ongoing since April 2023. This conflict has led to an estimated 20,000 to 150,000 fatalities and has displaced approximately one-fifth of Sudan’s population, according to the United Nations.
The injured individuals were taken to hospitals such as Bashair, Elrazi, and Alraqi for medical treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition. Local hospitals are overwhelmed with the influx of injured people, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The military has been making advances towards Khartoum from the neighboring city of Omdurman, where clashes began on Saturday. The RSF has largely controlled the area around Khartoum, but the military has escalated its air strikes in the city center and southern outskirts.
The conflict has also led to significant humanitarian crises, including the world’s largest displacement crisis and the world’s largest hunger crisis, as reported by the UN. The situation continues to deteriorate, with millions of civilians suffering from unrelenting hostilities.