Strike on market in disputed Abyei region kills dozens, with reported tolls ranging from 53 to 153

Summary

A strike on Amiet market, north of Abyei town in the border region disputed by Sudan and South Sudan, killed people on Monday, October 20, according to local officials. Authorities in Abyei district told The Hindu that the strike hit the market and accused the Sudanese army of launching 22 munitions, which killed 53 people and wounded at least 27. A later South China Morning Post report, citing Yohanna Akol Ngor, the Abyei administration's caretaker information minister, said a drone strike hit the market and a nearby fuel depot, put the death toll at at least 153, and said the toll was still rising as a fire burned. Ngor blamed Sudan's military. Al Jazeera reported that South Sudan authorities say Sudan's army launched a drone attack on the market, and that Medecins Sans Frontieres said it was treating 20 wounded people. A senior Sudanese military officer also responded according to the SCMP report, but the summary available here does not give that response in full. The reports differ on the death toll and on the weapon used, and the sources do not reconcile these figures.

Timeline

1. The Hindu

   20 Oct 2026, 16:34 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Abyei district authorities said a strike on Amiet market in the disputed territory killed 53 people, and they accused the Sudanese army of launching 22 munitions that wounded at least 27 more.

2. South China Morning Post

   21 Oct 2026, 06:16 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that a drone strike on Amiet Market in Abyei hit a nearby fuel depot and killed at least 153 people, according to Yohanna Akol Ngor, the Abyei administration's caretaker information minister, who blamed Sudan's military and said the death toll was still rising.

3. Al Jazeera

   21 Oct 2026, 08:25 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that South Sudan authorities say Sudan's army launched a drone attack on a market in the disputed Sudan-South Sudan border region, killing at least 153 people, while Medecins Sans Frontieres said it was treating 20 wounded people.