Al-Malha, June 19 (Darfur24)
At least nine people were killed and 12 others injured in a drone strike that targeted a civilian passenger vehicle in Al-Malha locality, northeast of El Fasher in North Darfur State, according to eyewitnesses and the Al-Malha Emergency Room.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, is believed by local sources to have been carried out by the Sudanese army. Al-Malha, located about 210 kilometers northeast of El Fasher and near the Sudanese-Libyan border, is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Al-Malha Emergency Room said the drone strike targeted a passenger vehicle traveling to artisanal mining areas near Sabreen, killing nine people and injuring 12 others.
The emergency room said several of the wounded sustained serious injuries requiring urgent surgical intervention and were transferred to Al-Malha for treatment.
It appealed for emergency support, including ambulance services, medicines, and surgical supplies, estimating immediate medical needs at around $5,000.
A medical source at Al-Malha Rural Hospital confirmed to Darfur24 that a number of injured people had been admitted for treatment following the attack.
In a separate incident on the same day, a drone believed to belong to the Sudanese army struck the Umm Bayada market in rural Al-Malha, causing a fire that completely destroyed the market and injured a number of civilians.
The Al-Malha Emergency Room confirmed the destruction of the market and estimated the financial losses at approximately $10,000.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called on the parties to the conflict to protect civilians and keep populated areas away from military operations.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, the use of drones by both sides of the conflict has increased significantly, with repeated strikes reported on military positions, markets, and civilian areas across several parts of Sudan.