Rockets struck a busy market in Sudan capital, Khartoum, resulting in the deaths of 18 people and leaving over 100 wounded, according to reports from doctors and residents.
The attack occurred amidst escalating fighting between rival military forces, following the collapse of truce talks mediated by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
The violence erupted on Wednesday in the southern district of Mayo and involved artillery fire and aerial bombardment, causing the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident since the conflict began in April.
The overall civilian death toll over the past seven weeks has now reached a grim count of at least 883, although experts believe the actual number to be significantly higher.
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Local neighborhood organizations, which have been assisting Khartoum’s residents in accessing food and medicine, described the situation as catastrophic and issued urgent appeals for doctors and blood donations.
The ongoing clashes in urban areas have placed civilians in constant peril, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Just the day before the market attack, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), their rival faction, had agreed to extend a previous humanitarian ceasefire deal for another five days, under the facilitation of the US and Saudi Arabia.
However, the army withdrew from the negotiations, accusing the RSF of not upholding their commitments.
The United States, citing violations by both sides, expressed its willingness to assist in mediating a truce once the parties demonstrated genuine intentions to halt the violence.
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The recently expired ceasefire had allowed some urgently needed aid to reach approximately two million people. However, the persistent insecurity has hindered aid delivery to many more and impeded efforts to restore essential services, stated a spokesperson from the US State Department.
