A recent airstrike in Sudan’s Darfur region has reportedly killed hundreds of people, according to a local war monitoring group. The attack targeted the Tur’rah market, located about 35 kilometers north of the city of el-Fasher, which is controlled by the Sudanese army. The Emergency Lawyers group, which tracks human rights abuses in the ongoing civil war, described the bombing as a "horrific massacre" that also left many others injured.
Footage shared on social media, some of which was posted by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — a rival paramilitary group — shows the devastation at the market. The images reveal smoking ruins and bodies that are severely burned. The Sudanese military has denied hitting civilian targets, claiming they only strike legitimate military objectives.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in the region. Both the Sudanese armed forces and the RSF have faced accusations of shelling civilian areas during the ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023. The RSF has been using drones, while the army relies on warplanes to attack RSF positions.
The exact death toll from the airstrike is still unconfirmed, but the Darfur Initiative for Justice and Peace stated that it occurred on Monday and called it the "deadliest single bombing since the beginning of the war." Civilian casualties from bombings and shelling have surged in recent months as fighting escalates in Sudan.
The humanitarian situation in Sudan is dire. Since the conflict erupted, approximately 12 million people have been displaced, which is comparable to the entire populations of Belgium or Tunisia. The United Nations has reported widespread famine and acute food insecurity affecting over half of the country. Estimates suggest that at least 150,000 people have died due to the fighting.
The RSF has rejected claims of genocide in Darfur, including allegations of mass killings and sexual violence aimed at non-Arab women. According to the UN, Sudan is currently facing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is watching closely, hoping for a resolution to the violence and a chance for peace in Sudan.