Tragedy struck the bustling marketplace in Khartoum as a devastating attack claimed the lives of 18 individual
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- 02 Jun 2023
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18 people lost their lives in an assault on a market in Khartoum following the army's withdrawal from negotiations. The Sudanese capital was subjected to shelling and aerial bombardments on Thursday, a day after the tragic incident occurred.
The country has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for over six weeks. In response to the RSF's violation of a cease-fire intended for facilitating aid deliveries, the army launched attacks on RSF bases in Khartoum.
A committee of human rights lawyers stated that "18 civilians were killed and 106 injured" due to the artillery fire and aerial bombings unleashed by the army on Wednesday at a market in southern Khartoum. An aid organization coordinating relief efforts confirmed this toll and described the situation as "catastrophic," appealing for medical assistance and blood donations.
The United States expressed concern about "serious violations of the cease-fire by both sides" and made it clear that it would only mediate if the warring parties demonstrate a genuine commitment. The State Department spokesperson stated, "Once the forces prove their seriousness in adhering to the cease-fire through their actions, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be prepared to resume facilitating discussions to find a negotiated resolution to this conflict."
Eyewitnesses in both north and south Khartoum reported that troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan targeted RSF bases led by commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. Heavy artillery fire from army camps was witnessed in the northern part of the capital, while artillery blasts were observed at the RSF camp in Al-Salha, the city's largest paramilitary base and arsenal, located in southern Khartoum.
These attacks occurred just two days after U.S. and Saudi mediators announced a five-day extension of the initial week-long humanitarian truce. While acknowledging that the truce had been imperfectly observed, the mediators believed that the extension would allow for further humanitarian efforts.
Since the eruption of violence on April 15, over 1,800 individuals have lost their lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. The United Nations reports that 1.2 million people have been displaced internally, with over 425,000 seeking refuge in other countries. More than half of Sudan's population, totaling 25 million people, now require aid and protection, as entire districts in Khartoum lack access to running water, electricity is available only for a few hours per week, and 75% of hospitals in conflict zones are non-operational.
