A drone hit the main fuel market in the West Kordofan capital of Al‑Fula early Monday, sparking massive explosions and fires that killed 5 or wounded an undetermined number of traders, residents told independent outlet Darfur 24.
Omar Abdullah, who was buying diesel at the time, said the unmanned aircraft “struck precisely where tankers were parked,” incinerating vehicles and the people trapped inside them. He described “walls of flame” that drove panicked shoppers into surrounding alleys.
Hamdeen Abdel Hadi Ahmed, spokesman for the state’s civil administration, blamed General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) for “indiscriminate” strikes on a site “teeming with civilians and street vendors.” He said women, children and the elderly were among the dead and appealed to aid groups to document “continuing violations.”
Earlier this month, the Europe‑based EEPA monitoring group reported that SAF air raids on Al‑Fula and Abu Zabad on 14 July killed about ten civilians and injured others.
Darfur 24 also documented an SAF air‑strike on Al‑Fula on 15 June, days after a relative lull in fighting.
Drone and air strikes on fuel depots have become a hallmark of the conflict, both sides seeking to deprive the other of scarce diesel needed to keep armour and generators running. Rights groups warn that hitting markets and residential areas risks mounting civilian casualties.
