Death toll from Amiet Market attack rises to 153 amid UN and British condemnation

Amiet Market – October 21, 2026 – Radio Dabanga: Local officials have revealed that the death toll from Monday’s drone attack on the 'Amiet' (Al-Na'am) market in the Abyei area, which is disputed between Sudan and South Sudan, has risen from 73 to 153. The attack also caused the displacement of approximately 8,000 people, amid widespread condemnation from the United Nations and the United Kingdom. In a statement seen by 'Radio Dabanga,' the UN Secretary-General strongly condemned the drone attacks on the Abyei region last Monday, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians—including women and children—near the Amiet and Todach markets, and left many others injured. The statement noted that the death toll is expected to rise as the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) continues to verify casualties, with many people still reported missing. The statement explained that following the incident, UNISFA deployed medical personnel, firefighting capabilities, and rapid reaction forces to provide emergency treatment, support the evacuation of the wounded, and prevent the spread of fires. The Secretary-General emphasized that international law prohibits attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, reminding all parties to the armed conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians at all times and the accountability of those responsible. He also called on the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to take all possible steps to help prevent further attacks and maintain the status of Abyei as a demilitarized zone. British Condemnation: For its part, the United Kingdom embassy expressed its deep concern over reports of strikes on the Amiet market in Abyei, which resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. The embassy condemned the attacks on civilians and infrastructure, calling for an independent and thorough investigation into the incident. Attack Details and Rising Death Toll: According to Reuters, the death toll from the drone attack on the Amiet (Al-Na'am) market has risen to 153. The attack occurred on Monday morning at the Amiet Market north of Abyei town, causing massive explosions and fires after the drone struck a fuel depot. Fires continued to burn until Tuesday, as emergency teams faced extreme difficulties recovering bodies from the rubble. Yohana Acol Ngor, the acting Minister of Information in the Abyei region, told Reuters that the death toll had risen sharply from an initial 73 to 153, warning that the number is likely to increase as search and recovery operations continue. Local authorities also reported that the attack caused the displacement of about 8,000 people. The South Sudanese government blamed the Sudanese Armed Forces for the attack and summoned the Sudanese ambassador to protest the raid. In contrast, a high-ranking Sudanese military official—speaking on condition of anonymity—admitted to the Associated Press that the military had carried out a drone strike, but claimed it targeted fuel tankers believed to be intended for the Rapid Support Forces, denying that civilians were an intentional target; this claim could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, medical teams from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that they provided treatment to more than 20 wounded people at the 'Amiet Bek' hospital, including patients with severe burns and critical injuries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan had summoned the Sudanese ambassador to Juba on Monday to register its strong protest against the drone attack on Amiet market, while Abyei witnessed protests on Tuesday condemning the incident.