A market in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, was struck by rockets, resulting in the death of 18 people and leaving over 100 wounded, as reported by doctors and residents.
The attack occurred amidst ongoing conflicts between rival military forces, following the collapse of truce talks mediated by the US and Saudi Arabia.
The violence on Wednesday, which took place in the Mayo area in the south of Khartoum, involved artillery fire and aerial bombardment.
This incident marked the highest number of civilian casualties in a single event in the capital since the war began in April.
Violent clashes between SAF and RSF this Sunday in Khartoum, areas south of Al-Zariba, Al-Muwaileh and Fatasha. Also looting and robberies in market place.#Sudan #Soudan #sudan_update #SudanCrisis #KeepEyesOnSudan #Karthoum pic.twitter.com/DrVZdAOLk7
— AMANAR_ADVISOR (@amanar_advisor) April 30, 2023
The official count of civilian deaths over the past seven weeks stands at least 883, although the actual number is believed to be much higher.
Local neighborhood organizations, involved in providing food and medicine to Khartoum’s residents, described the situation as catastrophic and appealed for the assistance of doctors and blood donations.
Due to the conflict occurring in urban areas, civilians remain in constant danger.
On Tuesday, the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), their rivals, had agreed to extend a humanitarian ceasefire deal brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia for an additional five days.
However, the army withdrew from the talks the following day, accusing the RSF of not adhering to the terms of the agreement.
The US stated that both sides had violated the ceasefire and expressed its willingness to mediate a truce once they were genuinely committed to ending the violence.
While the ceasefire allowed some urgent aid to reach approximately two million people, the ongoing insecurity hindered deliveries to many more and impeded efforts to restore essential services, according to a spokesperson from the US State Department.
The UN reports that 25 million people in Sudan, over half the country’s population, are currently in need of humanitarian aid and protection.
With the talks no longer in progress, there is a concern that the fighting may escalate. Heavy fire was reported on Thursday morning in Bahri and Omdurman, cities located across the River Nile from Khartoum.