By Iroyin Yoruba Television
NYALA, SUDAN — 29 OCTOBER 2026
A drone strike on a crowded market in Nyala, the capital of Sudan’s South Darfur region, has reportedly killed civilians and combatants, raising renewed concerns about the safety of ordinary people caught in the country’s prolonged civil war.
The attack occurred on Monday evening, 26 October, when a busy market was reportedly struck at approximately 8 p.m. local time. Witnesses described a powerful explosion that killed people gathered in the area, including women who sold food and tea to earn a living.
Emergency Lawyers, a rights group monitoring violence in Sudan, reported that more than 100 people had been killed and 113 wounded. However, the casualty figures remain unconfirmed, with other organisations reporting substantially lower numbers.
The Sudan Doctors Network initially reported at least 21 deaths and more than 40 injuries. Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said the hospital it supports in Nyala had received 36 bodies and treated more than 150 wounded people. The organisation reported that 21 of the bodies received were dressed in civilian clothing.
The different figures reflect the difficulty of verifying casualties in an area affected by active military operations, restricted access and continuing insecurity.
CIVILIANS CAUGHT IN THE ATTACK
Witness accounts indicate that civilians were present because the market offered an opportunity to earn money amid widespread unemployment and severe economic hardship.
Vendors reportedly moved among groups of fighters to sell cigarettes, food and other goods. Some of the people operating stalls were women selling tea and prepared food.
Although armed personnel were also reportedly present, the presence of fighters does not remove the need to protect civilians. Markets are important places where families obtain food and essential supplies, particularly in communities already experiencing shortages.
An aid worker in Darfur said that people remained missing after the attack and that some bodies had not yet been recovered from nearby homes. The reported impact on a residential neighbourhood has added to concerns about the danger facing people living around areas where military operations take place.
DISPUTED CASUALTY FIGURES
The exact number of people killed remains uncertain. Emergency Lawyers reported a toll exceeding 100, while the Sudan Doctors Network gave a preliminary figure of at least 21 deaths.
A spokesperson for forces fighting alongside the Sudanese army separately claimed that more than 150 members of the opposing paramilitary force had been killed in a targeted airstrike. That claim has not independently established the total number of civilian casualties.
The available information does not provide a fully verified list of victims or a definitive account of everyone who was present when the strike occurred.
Medical workers nevertheless reported treating large numbers of injured people, including women and children. Patients reportedly suffered shrapnel wounds and severe burns, placing additional pressure on medical teams working in an already difficult humanitarian environment.
SUDAN’S WAR CONTINUES TO DESTROY LIVELIHOODS
Sudan’s conflict began in April 2023 when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group. The war has spread across several regions, damaged essential infrastructure and forced millions of people from their homes.
Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned that insecurity, food shortages and displacement are making daily survival increasingly difficult. Parts of the country have experienced famine conditions, while many families have lost access to stable employment, healthcare and reliable supplies.
Nyala, located in South Darfur, has become a major centre under the control of the Rapid Support Forces. The wider region continues to face serious humanitarian challenges, including malnutrition and limited access to essential services.
The use of drones has added another dangerous dimension to the conflict. Attacks involving unmanned aircraft have threatened military positions, infrastructure and civilian areas. Establishing responsibility and verifying the circumstances of individual strikes can be difficult when independent observers cannot safely reach affected locations.
CALLS TO PROTECT CIVILIANS
Doctors Without Borders condemned the attack and reiterated that markets, homes and essential civilian infrastructure must be protected. The organisation called on all parties to the conflict to take steps to prevent further harm to civilians.
The incident highlights the risks faced by people who continue to work, trade and seek food despite the ongoing fighting. For many residents, selling goods near places where armed groups gather may be one of the few available ways to earn an income.
The immediate priorities include medical treatment for the injured, identifying those who have died, locating missing people and ensuring that civilians can access food and essential services without fear of further attacks.
As the war continues, humanitarian agencies face the challenge of assisting communities while dealing with insecurity, damaged infrastructure and limited access to affected areas.
The final death toll from the Nyala market strike remains unresolved. Further independent verification will be needed to establish the full scale of the casualties and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The incident is another reminder of the devastating consequences of Sudan’s war for civilians, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on markets and other public gathering places.