SAF Adekong Market Drone Strike Accusation by Darfur Admin

• The Western Darfur Civil Administration accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) of a drone strike on Adekong market, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.
• This incident marks the fifth reported bombing of the Adekong market this year, which is a non-military target vital for trade and humanitarian aid.
• Separately, the Emergency Lawyers Group reported at least eight civilians killed in North Kordofan, alleging a second strike targeted injured individuals and rescuers.
• Legal experts assert that targeting civilians and those aiding the wounded violates international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.
• Calls have been issued for international intervention, independent investigations, and accountability for attacks on civilians and humanitarian corridors in Sudan.

The Emergency Lawyers Group underscored that deliberately targeting civilians and those attempting to aid the wounded constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and could be prosecuted as a war crime.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) stand accused by the Western Darfur Civil Administration of conducting a drone strike on the weekly Adekong market, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, including Chadian nationals. This incident, which occurred on a Thursday, marks the fifth reported bombing of this particular market since the beginning of the year, highlighting a concerning pattern of attacks on civilian areas.

The administration reported that the strike took place during peak trading hours, when the market was densely populated with both residents and merchants. The aftermath saw a fire break out, reportedly charring several bodies. Located near the Chadian border, the Adekong market is explicitly identified as a non-military target, serving instead as a crucial hub for trade and the movement of humanitarian aid.

Concerns have been raised that these repeated attacks could severely disrupt cross-border commerce and impede the delivery of essential assistance through the Adré crossing, a vital humanitarian corridor for populations affected by the ongoing conflict in Darfur and Kordofan. The Western Darfur Civil Administration has urgently called upon the international community, including the UN Security Council, to intervene, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for these grave incidents.

The Emergency Lawyers Group, which formally split into two factions in March 2026, documented an attack in the Umm Shro area, northeast of Sodari locality, also on a Thursday, which claimed the lives of at least eight civilians and left dozens injured. This incident reportedly involved an initial strike that destroyed four civilian vehicles, followed by a second alleged attack targeting injured individuals and those attempting to rescue them.

The lawyers' group emphasized that the Umm Shro area was not experiencing any military activity or armed clashes at the time of the assault. They unequivocally stated that the deliberate targeting of civilians and individuals attempting to rescue the wounded constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) and could be classified as a war crime. This assessment underscores the severe legal implications of such actions.

In response to these alleged Sudan IHL violations civilian targeting, the Emergency Lawyers Group has demanded an immediate cessation of attacks on civilians, unimpeded humanitarian and medical access to affected regions, and a thorough, independent investigation into the incidents to ensure justice and accountability.

The accusations of civilian targeting emerge amidst a broader escalation of the conflict across Sudan. In Blue Nile State, the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasees), which includes the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Abdelaziz al-Hilu faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), announced on Friday the capture of strategic Surkum and Bakuri bases. The alliance claimed a "crushing defeat" of the Sudanese army and vowed to continue its advance, though the Sudanese army did not immediately comment on these claims.

Conversely, the Sudanese army reported repelling an attack in the Kili area. The Governor of El Kurmuk in Blue Nile, Abdelati Mohamed El Faki, stated that armed forces inflicted losses on the attacking RSF and SPLM-N forces and successfully shot down a drone in the Surkum area, marking the third such downing within a week. These developments highlight the intense and widespread nature of the Sudan conflict war crimes monitoring.

In a related development, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim, announced a significant defection of over 265 members from a rival faction led by Suleiman Sandal. This group, including Brig Gen Bashir Abkar Abdel Salam, 15 officers, and more than 250 non-commissioned officers and soldiers, has joined JEM, which stated these new arrivals would bolster the SAF and allied Joint Force. The Western Darfur Civil Administration has reiterated its plea for stronger monitoring and protection of border areas and humanitarian corridors, alongside measures to prevent the use of aircraft and drones against civilians and populated areas, directly addressing the Adekong market attack international law concerns and the broader need for UN Security Council Sudan civilian protection.

This article details accusations of international humanitarian law violations and potential war crimes by the SAF, providing crucial intelligence for lawyers specializing in international criminal law, human rights, or sanctions compliance to monitor for accountability efforts and advise clients on related risks and potential liabilities.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Dabanga.