More than 100 people were killed, and dozens more were injured on Tuesday in a series of intense airstrikes carried out by General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) on a market located in the northern region of North Darfur.
The SAF’s air raids have continued to target large areas in Darfur, with specific focus on regions controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, these strikes have resulted in significant civilian casualties, along with widespread destruction of infrastructure and essential services.
A statement from the Emergency Lawyers Group, obtained by Sudan Tribune, described the attack as a “horrific massacre,” noting that the airstrike targeted the Turah Market in North Darfur, killing over 100 civilians and injuring dozens.
A video widely circulated by activists showed the extensive damage caused by the bombing, which devastated the market in the rural northern outskirts of Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The statement condemned the attack, describing it as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and a systematic war crime under the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The lawyers added that such ongoing massacres reflect a deliberate targeting of civilians, calling for immediate action to end impunity.
The Emergency Lawyers Group called for an independent investigation to ensure accountability and urged international legal measures to prosecute those responsible for ordering and carrying out the airstrikes. They demanded an immediate halt to SAF attacks on civilians and called for severe sanctions on those accountable for these grave violations.
Meanwhile, the Umma National Party condemned the airstrike on Turah Market in the strongest terms, labeling it a “complete war crime” and a severe violation of international humanitarian law, targeting innocent civilians far from any SAF operations.
In a statement, the party urged international and local organizations to document and condemn this crime, calling for the protection of civilians from such brutal violations. They also demanded SAF cease attacks on civilians and fully commit to their protection.
The party stressed that the continuation of this war constitutes a crime against the Sudanese people, who are paying with their lives, security, and stability. They called for rational decision-making to end this senseless conflict through a comprehensive peace settlement that would end the suffering and restore peace and stability to the country.
