A Sudanese Army airstrike on the area of Al-Kuma, North Darfur State, on Friday killed 45 civilians and injured 250 others, residents said.
Al-Kuma is a locality located about 70 kilometers east of Al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State. It is situated on the main Western Inqaz Road which connects Darfur to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.
The residents recounted to Radio Tamazuj in Al-Kuma the extent of the damage caused by the airstrike.
The Al-Kuma Area Emergency Room Spokesman, Saleh Harirain, said the airstrike happened at 10 o’clock.
“A crowded city market was targeted with a number of explosive barrels, which led to the deaths of a large number of victims,” he explained.
Harirain further said that preliminary statistics indicated the killing of 45 civilians in addition to the injury to 250 others, some of who were serious.
Mayor Ahmed Mohammed Ismail Ali confirmed the attack to Radio Tamazuj, saying the city’s cemetery was filled with the dead bodies from the airstrike that targeted civilians in the market.
“I am surprised at these airstrikes that are targeting civilians going to the market to earn a living and provide for their children,” he said.
The Mayor called on international organizations to urgently intervene to protect innocent civilians.
Yasser Manzel said they were surprised by the airstrike, indicating that Al-Kuma was accustomed to being attacked by the Army, despite the absence of any RSF forces in the area.
Manzel called on the UN and the international community to urgently intervene to protect the innocent civilians.