Health officials reported that on Monday, shells fired by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck a busy market north of Omdurman, killing at least 15 civilians, including women and children, and injuring 61 others.
This latest attack marks a violent escalation in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged Sudan’s capital region for months.
Residents and humanitarian organizations have condemned the RSF’s repeated attacks on the Sabreen market area in recent days.
On Monday, the market and surrounding neighborhoods were shelled, leaving bodies scattered among the debris of shops and stalls.
“The Sabreen market in Karari, which was crowded with civilians, was shelled by the RSF,” stated Mohamed Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Khartoum state Ministry of Health.
He warned that the death toll could rise as many of the injured were in critical condition.
Despite the ongoing conflict, the market had remained one of the few active commercial centers, but Monday’s attack forced it to shut down as regular Sudanese forces moved in.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as terrified people fled the bombardment, some carrying wounded victims in their arms.
The conflict between Sudan’s army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hametti,” began in April 2023.
The fighting has displaced millions and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with both sides accused of human rights abuses.
In retaliation for Monday’s shelling, the Sudanese air force launched airstrikes targeting RSF positions in the Halfaya neighborhood, located across the Nile River, north of Khartoum Bahri.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising as anti-aircraft fire responded to the strikes.
The intense fighting highlighted the continuing violence, which shows no signs of easing despite international calls for a ceasefire.
Civilians remain trapped in the conflict, with their lives and livelihoods increasingly destroyed.