Heavy artillery attack hits civilian area, raising concerns over the targeting of non-military zones

At least 27 people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a market in the impoverished Mayo neighborhood south of Khartoum was shelled, according to local sources. Residents reported that six tank shells were fired from al-Shajara, an area controlled by the Sudanese army, towards Mayo, a civilian zone not believed to be near any military targets. The incident has raised concerns over the use of heavy artillery in densely populated civilian areas.

The death toll is expected to rise, as many of the injured have been unable to reach medical facilities due to the ongoing violence and lack of transportation. The Mayo area is home to people who have not been able to flee the capital, as it is one of the most impoverished neighborhoods and many of its residents cannot afford to escape the fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Medical personnel have been stretched thin by the volume of casualties, with staff at nearby al-Bashair Hospital calling for additional help. “It’s the worst day I’ve seen since the beginning of the war,” said Abdelmotal Saboon, a Mayo resident and volunteer. He described harrowing scenes of women, children, and men in critical condition from the attack.

This bombing comes on the heels of a day in which Sudanese army leader Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan announced he would pull out of US and Saudi-brokered ceasefire talks. Al-Burhan blamed the RSF for failing to adhere to previous ceasefire agreements, and vowed to use deadly force against the group, adding to the growing fears of further escalation and civilian suffering.

The violence has displaced over 1.2 million people within Sudan, while more than 400,000 have fled across borders. Humanitarian aid has been limited due to the lack of safe corridors for delivery, and international mediators have condemned both sides for violating ceasefire terms.

In the Darfur region, clashes continue to intensify, with reports of ongoing militia attacks and indiscriminate killings. Over 50 people have been killed in the city of Geneina in the past week alone, while hospitals and universities in Zalingei have been looted, highlighting the widespread devastation caused by the conflict.

As violence spreads across Sudan, the toll on civilians continues to climb, with the UN warning that the real number of casualties is likely far higher than the official reports.