The strikes mark one of the deadliest single episodes in Sudan's prolonged civil conflict between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group that has battled government troops for control of the country since fighting erupted in 2023. The vehicle targeted was transporting people to a funeral service when it came under attack, while a separate strike hit a market reportedly used to funnel fuel supplies to RSF fighters.
The scale of casualties underscores how civilians continue to bear the brunt of a war that has already displaced millions and pushed parts of Sudan toward famine conditions. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that both the army and the RSF have conducted operations in populated areas with limited regard for civilian presence, and funerals, markets and other gatherings have been struck before during the conflict.
Sudan's civil war has drawn in regional powers and strained international mediation efforts, with ceasefire talks repeatedly stalling. The RSF, which grew out of militia forces previously used by the Sudanese state, controls large swaths of territory including parts of the western Darfur region, while the army retains control of other key areas including the capital, Khartoum, and surrounding regions. Fuel markets have become strategic targets in the conflict because both sides rely on such supply routes to sustain their fighting forces, making them a recurring flashpoint for attacks.
The reported death toll has not been independently verified by international monitors, and access to affected areas remains difficult for journalists and aid workers alike given ongoing insecurity. Sudanese authorities have not issued an official statement addressing the scale of casualties from the strikes.
The attack is likely to intensify pressure on international bodies and regional governments to renew efforts toward a ceasefire, as the civilian toll from the war continues to mount with no clear resolution in sight. Aid agencies have long cautioned that continued fighting is worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis, with millions in need of food, shelter and medical care across the country.