Sudan Airstrike Kills 54 in Darfur, Aid Groups Blame Military

At least 54 people were killed in an airstrike on a local market in Sudan’s Darfur region, according to aid groups, as the country’s brutal war continues to escalate.

The attack, which took place in the village of Tora, 80 kilometers north of El-Fasher, ignited a massive fire, leaving widespread devastation. More than half of the victims were women, with at least 23 others wounded and seven missing, according to Adam Rejal, a spokesperson for the General Coordination, a local group assisting displaced persons.

The Sudanese military denied targeting civilians. “These allegations are incorrect and are raised whenever our forces take necessary action against hostile targets,” said military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah.

However, local humanitarian organizations condemned the attack, calling it a “crime against humanity” and a clear violation of international law. Graphic footage from the scene showed charred bodies and destroyed market stalls, further intensifying outrage over civilian casualties.

The conflict, which began in April 2023, has devastated Sudan, killing more than 28,000 people and forcing millions to flee. The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with famine gripping parts of the country as families struggle for survival.

El-Fasher remains a key stronghold of the Sudanese military, under near-daily assault from the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war has been marked by mass atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence, with international organizations accusing both sides of committing war crimes.

As Sudan’s military makes advances in Khartoum and other urban centers, fears grow that the situation in Darfur will deteriorate further. Calls for international intervention are growing louder, but with no end in sight, civilians remain caught in the crossfire of a devastating war.