At least 56 people were killed and 158 others wounded following brutal artillery shelling and airstrikes targeting the busy Sabreen market in Omdurman, Sudan, on January 31, 2025. The Sudanese Health Ministry has attributed this devastating attack to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), raising fears about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to eyewitness accounts, the artillery fire originated from western Omdurman—a territory under RSF control—and was bolstered by drone strikes. Witnesses described intense scenes of devastation, with bodies strewn across the market. One local resident recounted, "The shells fell in the middle of the vegetable market, that's why there are so many victims and wounded." This tragic incident has left the community reeling, underscoring the significant peril civilians face amid the conflict.
Khalid al-Aleisir, Sudan's Minister of Culture, condemned the attack, calling it "a criminal act" and emphasizing its classification as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. His remarks reflect the growing discontent with the RSF's tactics, which have seen increased civilian casualties since the outbreak of hostilities.
Medical staff at the nearby al-Nao Hospital reported being overwhelmed by the flood of casualties. A hospital volunteer expressed the dire need for "shrouds, blood donors, and stretchers to transport the wounded," highlighting the urgent humanitarian needs triggered by the assault. Hospitals are struggling to cope as the number of victims continues to grow, with local officials warning about the potential for the death toll to rise.
This latest attack draws attention to the broader conflict between Sudan’s army and RSF, which erupted back in April 2023 after disputes over the integration of the two forces led to widespread violence. The situation has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displacing millions and pushing nearly half of Sudan’s population toward hunger.
The United Nations estimates over 3.6 million people have fled the capital, Khartoum, where neighborhoods have transformed from homes to battlegrounds. Approximately 106,000 individuals are enduring famine conditions, with another 3.2 million experiencing crisis levels of hunger. With each passing day, the humanitarian crisis deepens, and the consequences of the conflict become more dire.
The assault on the Omdurman market occurred just one day after RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo vowed to retake the capital from the army. He stated with defiance, "We expelled them [from Khartoum] before, and we will expel them again"—a sentiment reflecting the RSF's desire to regain control amid recent military setbacks.
Notably, the conflict's escalation has led various organizations to voice their concerns about the lack of accountability for such atrocities. Khaled Omar Youssef, leader of the Progress Coordination Committee, labeled the artillery shelling of the Omdurman market as "a full-fledged war crime," calling for justice and ample humanitarian support for the affected civilians.
Meanwhile, efforts from local and international entities continue to respond to the growing humanitarian need. Activists have urged the government to prioritize medical supplies and safe corridors for civilians affected by the shelling. On the international stage, calls have intensified for accountability and justice for the perpetrators of these crimes.
Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, recently raised alarms about the relentless attacks against civilians, stating, "Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects are abhorrent. They must end immediately." Such statements underline the need for immediate international intervention to protect those caught up within this devastating conflict.
The tragic events at the Omdurman market exemplify the perilous situation facing Sudanese civilians as violence continues unabated. The call for peace and humanitarian support has never been more urgent, as the international community watches closely, pressured to act decisively amid growing reports of atrocities.
With no clear resolution to the conflict on the horizon, the suffering of those engulfed by this multi-faceted crisis is gradually becoming too significant to ignore. The pressing need for action rings louder with each tale of loss, reminding us all of the human cost at stake.