The death toll from a drone attack on a market in the city of Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan, has risen to 102 people, dozens of whom were buried in a mass grave, according to what Agence France-Presse reported from the “Emergency Lawyers” group today, Wednesday (October 28, 2026).
The organization said, "An army drone bombed the Tenggong market in the Domaya neighborhood in the city of Nyala, South Darfur, killing 102 civilians and wounding 113 others." A source in the organization confirmed that "the majority of the victims were buried in a mass grave."
Hamdan Suleiman, who lives in the Domayah neighborhood in Nyala, told AFP via WhatsApp, “I lost my son when he was 19 years old in the market strike, and we buried him with more than 70 others in one place.” Zahra Humaidan, who sells food in the market, reported the killing of the vendor who usually sat next to her, “with three girls who worked with her.”
A medical source at Nyala Hospital told Agence France-Presse on Monday that 21 people were killed in the air attack, without being able to determine the number of Rapid Support Forces fighters among them. These forces control the state of South Darfur and make Nyala their stronghold and the capital of the government that administers the areas under their control, known as “Establishment.” Another medical source told Agence France-Presse that 21 dead were those whose bodies arrived at the hospital.
Sudanese often unofficially bury their loved ones in places of death or in public squares and in front of homes, without transporting them to hospitals.
A war has been raging between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands, led to the displacement of millions and the destruction of infrastructure across the country. The Rapid Support Forces control the entire Darfur region in western Sudan and parts of its south, while the army controls the central and eastern states of the country, including Khartoum.
It is difficult to verify the number of victims of air attacks, especially in remote areas of Sudan, due to the cutting off of roads and communications and the difficulty of movement in light of the battles. Both sides of the war are increasingly relying on drones, which often kill dozens in a single strike.
The army and the Rapid Support Forces are accused of targeting residential areas and infrastructure and committing violations against civilians. The United Nations said that at least 1,100 people were killed in drone attacks across Sudan during the first half of this year, while more than 300 people were killed as a result of air attacks during the month of October.
Last week, a drone attack attributed to the army killed at least 80 people, who were waiting in a parking lot for trucks used by civilians to move around.
For its part, the Rapid Support Forces intensified their attacks on Khartoum and its airport, in addition to electricity and water facilities in areas under army control. A source at the Sudan Electricity Company told Agence France-Presse, “The Rapid Support militia marches targeted the Al-Markhiyat conversion station west of Omdurman on Tuesday, affecting the supply in large parts of Khartoum and Al-Jazira states.”
Tuesday's attack was preceded by a coordinated operation with marches by the Rapid Support Forces that targeted six power stations, causing a power outage for millions of people in Al-Jazira, the White Nile, Sennar, and Gedaref.
