News|ConflictDrone attack on busy market in Sudan kills at least 28
Drone-fired missiles have struck a market in the Kordofan region of central Sudan, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by a human rights organization.
Drone-fired missiles have struck a market in the Kordofan region of central Sudan, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by a human rights organization.
The organization, Emergency Lawyers, issued a statement on Mon, Feb 14, 2026, indicating that the al-Safiya market in Sodari, North Kordofan, was targeted by drones. The attack occurred during peak hours, leading to a significant humanitarian impact, with the number of casualties potentially increasing.
The statement emphasized that the market was crowded with civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, at the time of the attack. The utilization of drones in populated areas demonstrates a substantial disregard for civilian safety and marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict. Emergency Lawyers have called for a cessation of drone strikes by all involved parties.
Sodari, a strategic town located 230km northwest of el-Obeid, has been a focal point due to its position along desert trade routes. The area has witnessed increased drone activity as the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) contest control over the east-west axis connecting Darfur, el-Obeid, Khartoum, and other regions.
Drone-fired missiles have struck a market in the Kordofan region of central Sudan, resulting in at least 28 fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by a human rights organization.
The RSF has attempted to consolidate its hold on the oil- and gold-rich Kordofan region to secure Sudan’s central corridor. Following assertions by Emergency Lawyers, the drones implicated in the recent market attack are claimed to belong to the army. However, military officials deny targeting civilian infrastructure.
Recently, a similar drone incident near Rahad, North Kordofan, resulted in 24 deaths, including eight children. Additionally, a World Food Programme convoy was targeted, highlighting the ongoing threats posed to humanitarian efforts.
Since the escalation of conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese military in April 2023, approximately 40,000 individuals have been killed, and 12 million displaced, according to the World Health Organization. The UN has documented widespread atrocities and potential war crimes, particularly during an RSF offensive in Darfur in late October.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with the country effectively divided. The Sudanese army controls the center, north, and east, while the RSF and allies dominate the west and parts of the south.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
