The key facts
- The drone strike on the Amiet market in Abyei occurred on the morning of October 19; the death toll rose from 73 to 220, with 19 people wounded.
- Abyei authorities blamed the Sudanese armed forces; the drones' affiliation has not been independently confirmed.
- South Sudan summoned the Sudanese ambassador and lodged an official protest; the region's administration called for an investigation into the deaths of civilians.
Death toll from the strike rises to 220
The number of people killed after a drone strike on the Amiet market in the disputed Abyei region on the border of Sudan and South Sudan has reached 220. These figures were provided by the head of the information department of the local administration, Yohana Akol Ngor, Sudans Post reports. Initially, 73 deaths were reported, but as the aftermath was being cleared, the death toll continued to rise. According to the latest data from the local administration, 19 people were wounded.
Course of the attack and rescue operations
The attack occurred on the morning of October 19. According to the official, drones struck several areas of the trading zone, including a fuel-selling spot. After the strike, a major fire broke out, complicating search and rescue operations. The final extent of the destruction is still being determined, and local authorities do not rule out a further increase in the death toll.
Responsibility and reaction
Abyei authorities assigned responsibility for the incident to the Sudanese armed forces, but the drones' affiliation has not yet been independently confirmed. After the attack, South Sudan summoned the Sudanese ambassador and lodged an official protest. The administration of the disputed territory appealed to the authorities of both countries and the international community, calling for an investigation into the deaths of civilians.
Context
The Amiet market is located about ten kilometers from the town of Abyei. It serves local communities and displaced people who have fled their homes due to the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan. Abyei's status has remained disputed since South Sudan gained independence in 2011; security in the region is maintained, among others, by UN peacekeepers. The civil war in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023 between the regular army and the Rapid Support Forces; the fighting has also affected neighboring countries.
