World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Drone strike on Abyei market kills at least 153, local official says
A drone strike hit Amiet Market in Abyei on Monday, setting fire to a nearby fuel depot.
Abyei is a disputed, oil-rich area on the border of Sudan and South Sudan, which both claim it.
A local official said at least 153 people were killed, while other accounts gave a toll of 73; the fire was still burning on Tuesday.
Sudan’s military was blamed by local and South Sudanese officials, but responsibility has not been independently confirmed.
More than 20 wounded people were treated at a hospital in Abyei, including patients with burns and critical injuries.
The strike comes as Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023, with growing use of drones.
South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest, and its government called for the dispute to be handled through diplomacy.
A drone strike hit Amiet Market in the disputed Abyei region on Monday, with reported death tolls ranging from 73 to at least 153.
A nearby fuel depot caught fire, and local officials said the blaze hindered efforts to recover bodies.
Abyei officials and South Sudan’s government blamed Sudan’s military, while a BBC-cited military source said the army carried out the strike because the market supplied fuel to the RSF.
South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest the attack.
Médecins Sans Frontières said it had received more than 20 wounded people at Ameth Bek Hospital.
- Who
- People at Amiet Market in Abyei were killed and wounded. The reported death toll varies by source.
- What
- Drones struck the market and a nearby fuel depot caught fire.
- When
- Monday, October 19, 2026, around 11:00 to 11:30 local time.
- Where
- Amiet Market, north of Abyei town, in the disputed region between Sudan and South Sudan.
- Why
- The motive is unclear. A BBC-cited military source said the market supplied fuel to the RSF; local officials blamed Sudan’s military.
Abyei officials and South Sudan
Sudanese military, according to a BBC-cited military source
Responsibility
Abyei officials and South Sudan
Abyei’s caretaker information minister and South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry blamed Sudan’s military.
Sudanese military, according to a BBC-cited military source
A military source told the BBC the army carried out the attack.
Target
Abyei officials and South Sudan
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said the strike hit multiple locations in the market and caused civilian casualties.
Sudanese military, according to a BBC-cited military source
The BBC-cited military source said the market was a fuel supply site for the RSF.
Drones struck Amiet Market in Abyei around 11:00 to 11:30 local time, and a nearby fuel depot caught fire.
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest.
Abyei’s caretaker information minister reported 73 deaths and 19 wounded to Reuters.
The minister told AP that 153 people had died and the toll was rising as the fire continued.
- Reported deaths
- 73 to at least 153
- Reported wounded
- 19, according to the minister’s Reuters account
- Market
- Amiet Market, also known as Al-Na'am Market
- Distance from Abyei town
- 10 km, according to the BBC account
- Patients received
- More than 20 at Ameth Bek Hospital, according to MSF
4 sources
What people are saying
We have recorded 153 deaths
Around 73 people have been killed and 19 have been wounded ... a number of drones were shot yesterday by the Sudanese armed forces
So far we received over 20 patients, including several critical cases. Patients with burns were also admitted
We are alarmed by the continued deadly drone strikes across the country that are killing civilians, including children, and that are disrupting essential services