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South Sudan says Sudanese drone attack killed scores in Abyei market
Local officials say the death toll rose to 153 as doctors treated more than 20 wounded people and fires slowed recovery efforts, officials said.
On Monday, October 19, 2026, drone strikes hit the Amiet Common Market in disputed Abyei, killing approximately 73 people and injuring 19, according to Caretaker Information Minister Yohana Akol Ngor, who accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of the attack.
Abyei, an oil-rich region jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, has faced instability since the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement was never held. Sudan's ongoing war since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces has further destabilized the area.
Médecins Sans Frontières reported treating more than 20 wounded patients at Ameth Bek Hospital, while witness Ahmed Wadi stated he buried 50 bodies, including his brother Mohamed, from the market bombardment.
South Sudan's foreign ministry summoned the Sudanese ambassador to convey a 'strong protest and deep concern' regarding civilian security, though the specific accusation against the Sudanese Armed Forces remains unverified.
Violence in the disputed territory heightens as South Sudan plans to include Abyei in December 2026 elections; earlier clashes on September 15, 2026, killed 26 people, underscoring the region's volatility.