UN condemns deadly Abyei drone attacks as accounts of toll conflict

Drone attacks in Abyei killed dozens of civilians on Monday, according to the United Nations, while a local official reported 153 deaths at Amiet Market alone. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strikes near the market and Todach, in territory disputed by Sudan and South Sudan. He did not name an attacker. [1]

A UN spokesperson put Tuesday’s preliminary toll for Amiet and Todach combined at at least 28 civilians. Guterres said women and children were among those killed, many people were injured or missing, and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was still verifying casualties. The UN figure was not a final count for the market. [2] [1]

Abyei’s acting information minister, Yohana Akol Ngor, told Reuters on Tuesday that the market death toll had risen from 73 to 153. Reuters verified video filmed there that day showing charred vehicles and buildings, with a fire still burning. Doctors Without Borders said more than 20 wounded people had reached Ameth Bek Hospital, including patients with burns and several in critical condition. [3] [4]

Ngor has also given conflicting accounts of the burials. Europa Press, citing an Eye Radio interview, reported that he described about 153 victims in one mass grave and 73 in another — approximately 226 altogether. Anadolu, citing a Radio Tamazuj interview on Wednesday, reported that he put the total number of buried dead at 153, with others still missing. Both accounts come from the same official, and it is unclear why they differ. [5] [6]

Ngor and South Sudan’s foreign ministry blamed Sudan’s army for the market strike. South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador in protest. An unnamed senior Sudanese military officer told the Associated Press that the army had struck fuel tankers he said were bound for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He claimed those killed were RSF members and fuel smugglers. AP could not verify his account of the targets or victims, and said he was not authorised to speak to the press.