December 18, Kabkabiya — Hundreds of citizens demonstrated in Kabkabiya, North Darfur, on Monday, protesting against recent air strikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on the town, which left dozens dead and injured.
Airstrikes on the local market on December 9 killed over 100 people and was described as a “horrendous massacre.” Human Rights Watch called it a “flagrant war crime.” The attack was part of a wave of airstrikes in recent weeks.
Kabkabiya is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and is located about 180km from El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur, and the last stronghold of SAF in the region.
Markets have frequently come under attack by both warring parties since the conflict began in Sudan in April 2023. The Sudan War Monitor reported that airstrikes on markets are typically carried out on a set market day, with the apparent deliberate intent of maximizing casualties.
Despite the market originally being closed after the attack, a local leader told Darfur24 that it has been reopened with “extreme caution” by the civil administration.
“It cannot remain closed because there are displaced families working in the market to provide food, shelter and water for their children,” he said.
The RSF have also allegedly been arresting civilians in the area on accusations of of cooperating with the Sudanese army and providing coordinates for warplanes.