At least 153 people died following a drone strike on Amiet Market north of Abyei town in the Abyei region on 19 October. Yohanna Akol Ngor confirmed the death toll, stating, "We have recorded 153 deaths."
The attack occurred around 11am and struck a nearby fuel depot, causing a fire that continued to burn on 20 October. More than 20 injured individuals were transported to Ameth Bek Hospital, where Dr. Christian Lindauer said, "So far we received over 20 patients, including several critical cases. Patients with burns were also admitted."
Amiet Market serves the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities. South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry blamed the Sudanese military for the strike and summoned the Sudanese ambassador to the capital.
Ngor also attributed the attack to the Sudanese military. The Foreign Ministry urged Sudan to "refrain from any actions that endanger civilian lives and property."
The Abyei region status remains unresolved by a 2005 peace agreement, while South Sudan gained independence on 1 January 2011. Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been engaged in conflict since 1 April 2023.
