RSF condemns SAF bombing of livestock market in South Darfur

MEDIA STATEMENT
As part of a recurring and systematic pattern of targeting civilians, the livestock market in Nyala, South Darfur, was attacked today, Friday, by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) that operates under the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group using a Turkish-made Akıncı drone. The strike targeted the densely populated market, killing and injuring dozens of women and children in a grave crime that reflects a dangerous escalation in attacks against unarmed civilians.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strongly condemn this heinous crime and the systematic violations targeting civilians. The strike targeted the livestock market while it was crowded with civilians, resulting in at least 30 martyrs, including 17 women and five children, according to preliminary reports, as well as dozens of wounded, all of them innocent civilians.

Today's bombing of the livestock market was preceded by another drone strike carried out by the Muslim Brotherhood's army yesterday, Thursday, in the Abu Za'ima area of North Kordofan. The attack killed five innocent children from a single family, seriously injured their mother, and destroyed several homes in the area.

The Muslim Brotherhood army's air strikes on Abu Za'ima coincided with attacks on several areas of North Kordofan over the past few days, including Al-Nayim, where the attack burned the local market completely, as well as Abu Adham, Um Zulitah, Jebel al-Halla and Burush. These attacks resulted in the loss of dozens of civilian lives and the destruction of infrastructure and markets.
These crimes constitute flagrant violations of international law and norms, foremost among them the rules of international humanitarian law, which categorically prohibit attacks on civilians and civilian gatherings. They also amount to war crimes that demand accountability and an end to impunity.

Our forces call on the international community to fulfil its legal and moral responsibilities by taking urgent action to put an end to these violations, ensure the effective protection of civilians, and open independent and transparent investigations to hold those responsible accountable. We also emphasize the importance of professional and patriotic role of the media and journalists in documenting these crimes and conveying the truth to the public, despite the grave risks they face while working in conflict zones.

Our forces extend their sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wish the injured a speedy recovery, and reaffirm their full solidarity with civilians in conflict zones, as well as their firm commitment to the values of justice and the right to life and safety.

The continued targeting of civilians will only deepen the humanitarian tragedy and require a firm stance from all regional and international actors to put an end to these repeated crimes and violations.

Office of the Official Spokesman
Rapid Support Forces