Deadly drone strike hits Sudan market: civilians killed in army attack
On Thursday, a serious air strike hit the Badia “al-Zarq” market in North Darfur state. According to local reports, Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles linked to the Islamic Movement’s armed forces attacked the crowded civilian area, killing dozens of civilians, including women and children.
According to Atalayar, local residents told the (As-Sihah) newspaper that the target was clearly civilian, as there was “no military presence or target” in the market. According to reports, the local stalls, built of reeds and twigs, were completely destroyed. The Badiya al-Zarq market brings together traders from various communities in North Darfur.
Condemnation and promise of legal action
The Sudanese Founding Coalition government condemned the incident as a “brutal crime,” emphasizing that the attack took place in an area where there is no military presence. According to their statement, targeted attacks against the civilian population are part of a “genocide plan” and “ethnic cleansing crimes” committed by the “terrorist army.”
According to the government, the attack was carried out with Turkish-made Akıncı drones, and most of the victims were women and children. They announced that they would pursue legal action against the perpetrators and accomplices, including the Baykar company, which is majority-owned and controlled by the Bayraktar family. They called on the international community and human rights organizations to condemn the massacres in Darfur and Kordofan, which they consider to be war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law. They stated that they “will not remain silent” in the face of these events.
Complete destruction of the market in Sudan
The Sudan Human Rights Monitoring Center also condemned the attack. According to their statement, eyewitness accounts indicate that the market was completely destroyed, causing panic and fear among the local population. The institution reminded that international humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and obliges parties to the conflict to protect civilians. The organization condemned the fact that the strike caused “dozens of civilian deaths and injuries,” including women and children.
Note: The above statements are based on statements from local sources and affected organizations.
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