53 killed in Sudanese army drone attack on market in Abyei on South Sudan border (Abyei authorities)

53 killed in Sudanese army drone attack on market in Abyei on South Sudan border (Abyei authorities)

Fifty-three people were killed in a Sudanese army drone attack on a market in the disputed Abyei region between Sudan and South Sudan, according to a statement issued by the region's authorities on Monday.

The Abyei region administration, located between Sudan's West Kordofan state, controlled by the Rapid Support Forces, and South Sudan, condemned in its statement the "devastating drone attack on the Amiet market" on Monday "by the Sudanese army," confirming that 53 people were killed and 27 others were wounded.

Abyei remains a disputed border area since South Sudan's secession from Sudan in 2011, and is administered by a special administration under the supervision of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).

The bombing of the site, also known as the ostrich market, "completely destroyed the market's infrastructure, eliminating vital livelihoods and exacerbating the already fragile humanitarian situation," according to a statement from the Abyei administration.

The statement added, "This unjustified attack triggered an immediate wave of displacement, forcing survivors to flee towards Abyei town, placing unprecedented strain on local emergency resources."

The South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it summoned the Sudanese ambassador in Juba "to convey the government's protest and grave concern regarding this attack and its repercussions on the security of civilians and the stability of the Abyei region," according to a statement by the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

The ostrich market serves as a transit point for goods to areas controlled by the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which are engaged in conflict with the Sudanese army and control West Kordofan state, adjacent to the Abyei region.

On Sunday, an attack by an army convoy on a transportation hub in West Kordofan state killed 80 people, and another army attack on Nyala, an RSF stronghold in South Darfur, killed 17 people on Monday.

Both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are increasingly relying on drones to carry out attacks far from the front lines.

The war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has been ongoing for more than three years, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of millions, widespread famine, and the destruction of large swathes of the country.