A deadly artillery attack on a busy market in Omdurman, near Sudan’s capital Khartoum, has left mortuaries overwhelmed with bodies, according to medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The attack, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in over 100 casualties, including a significant number of women and children, as confirmed by the Sudanese Doctors’ Union.
The Sudanese authorities and MSF have pointed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as being responsible for the shelling. However, the RSF has denied these claims. Eyewitnesses speaking to AFP reported that the shelling originated from western Omdurman, a region under RSF control. The impact was devastating, particularly at the Al Nao hospital, which was quickly overwhelmed by injured civilians seeking urgent medical attention.
“The explosion caused utter carnage,” said MSF General Secretary Chris Lockyear. He described the situation at the hospital as dire, with doctors struggling to treat a surge of wounded patients amid a severe shortage of medical supplies and personnel. The Sudanese Doctors’ Union also appealed for medical staff in the vicinity to help address the crisis, emphasizing the acute shortage of healthcare workers in the region.
Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for nearly 22 months. The conflict has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and has created what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. The shelling of civilian areas, including health facilities, has been a recurring feature of the war, with both sides accused of targeting non-combatants and healthcare workers.
The Sudanese army has intensified its operations in Omdurman in recent weeks, aiming to regain full control from the RSF. The ongoing battle for the city has led to widespread displacement and destruction, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Saturday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have plagued Sudan, leaving countless civilians trapped in an increasingly volatile situation. Emergency response teams have been forced to close multiple health facilities due to the relentless violence, further limiting access to essential medical services for thousands of residents.
As international organizations continue to call for an end to hostilities and the protection of civilians, Sudanese citizens remain caught in the crossfire, enduring immense suffering as the conflict rages on.
