At least 15 killed in artillery shelling of Omdurman market

November 4, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – At least 15 people were killed on Saturday when artillery shells, purportedly originating from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), struck a bustling market situated to the north of Omdurman.

In recent weeks, the Karari locality north of Omdurman has been under intense artillery and missile fire from the paramilitary RSF, resulting in a high number of casualties. Karari is the only remaining inhabited area in Omdurman, which has been largely deserted since the conflict began six months ago.

A statement from the Resistance Committee of Zaglouna 15 neighbourhood said, “More than 15 people were killed and dozens wounded as a result of random artillery shelling that targeted the market.”

The statement blamed all parties involved in the conflict for “the massacre of the residents of the neighbourhood.” It noted that the incident underscores “the absurdity of the war and the fact that civilians are the biggest losers”.

The statement refrained from accusing any party of carrying out the attack. Nevertheless, local activists informed the Sudan Tribune that the RSF launched approximately 12 shells from their positions in North Bahri and Old Omdurman early on that fateful Saturday morning.

Their target was various neighbourhoods within the Al-Thawra agglomeration of Omdurman, with some of the shells tragically finding their mark in the Zaglouna market.

In the wake of the shelling, volunteers have issued an urgent call for blood donations to assist the numerous injured individuals who have been transported to Al-Nao Hospital. This hospital stands as the sole medical facility offering critical services to the countless residents of Karari, Omdurman, and Umbada localities.

(ST)