Tura, North Darfur – Sudan’s military has sparked global outrage after an airstrike on a crowded marketplace in Tura, North Darfur, killed hundreds and left charred bodies, obliterated homes, and a decimated healthcare system in its wake.
The attack, described by human rights groups as a “war crime,” has intensified calls for international intervention amid escalating violence against civilians.
Sudanese army bombs crowded market
On Monday, March 24, Sudanese military aircraft under the command of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, dropped barrel bombs on Tura’s marketplace during peak trading hours. The area, crowded with civilians purchasing essentials, was reduced to smoldering rubble.
The army exploited this congregation to launch an attack completely far from any military targets. The Darfur Victims Support Organization (DVS) documented the aftermath of the airstrike, releasing numerous images and videos depicting the devastation. Satellite imagery analyzed by The New York Times confirmed the widespread devastation, showing scattered body parts and homes engulfed in flames.
Charred bodies, unidentified victims
Graphic footage shared by DVS revealed charred corpses burned beyond recognition, with activists struggling to compile a full list of victims. Preliminary estimates suggest 200 deaths, though only 54 have been identified.
The death toll is expected to rise as fire rage and communication blackouts hinder rescue efforts. Human rights groups and local civil organizations condemned the military’s repeated targeting of civilian zones, accusing it of “full-fledged war crimes.”
UN demands action amid healthcare collapse
The United Nations condemned the attack, with Spokesperson Dujarric urging adherence to international law: “Our humanitarian colleagues are deeply alarmed by escalating attacks on populated areas.”
Sudan’s healthcare system, already crippled by funding shortages, collapsed entirely post-attack. No functional medical facilities or emergency teams aided the wounded, leaving victims to “fend for themselves,” Dujarric stated.
With no operational medical facilities to treat the wounded and no emergency teams dispatched, victims faced agonizing delays for care. Many suffered life-threatening injuries requiring urgent surgery, but the absence of services worsened the crisis.
Dujarric highlighted Darfur’s plight, stating the region had been “severely affected by the withdrawal of international health funding.” He condemned repeated attacks on medical facilities, noting healthcare workers had lost critical supplies, while North and South Darfur grappled with dire shortages of essential provisions.
The UN urged the international community to intensify its humanitarian response, as well as increase funding and help protect civilians from ongoing violence. Dujarric demanded “unobstructed access to treatment, free from military targeting,” calling on global leaders to safeguard medical personnel and facilities.
Amid charred ruins and systemic neglect, the massacre has amplified demands for justice, with rights groups and political factions insisting Sudan’s military face accountability for its relentless assault on civilians.
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