ABYEI – Drones reportedly belonging to the Sudanese army struck Amiet Market in the disputed Abyei Area at around 11 a.m. on Monday, dropping seven bombs in the market’s northern section, where fuel is sold, according to sources on the ground.
Yohana Akol Ngor, caretaker information minister and spokesperson for the Abyei administration, accused the Sudanese army of carrying out the attack, which he said caused a fire, casualties and property damage. Sudans Post could not independently verify the allegation.
“The drone dropped seven bombs in the northern checkpoint of the market where the fuel is sold. These bombs have caused casualties, loss of lives, and property destruction. The target is the fuel market,” Akol said.
He said authorities were still assessing the damage and counting casualties. The number of people killed or injured was not immediately available.
Akol urged residents to remain indoors while the administration monitored the situation.
Amiet Market, located in Ameth-Aguok County, serves the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities and is a major trading centre in the area.
The incident comes amid renewed political tensions over Abyei, which is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. South Sudan plans to include the area in its December 2026 elections, a move opposed by Sudan as the territory’s final status remains unresolved.
On Saturday, Al-Khair Abdullah Idris Abu Muridat, Sudan’s newly appointed head of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee, reaffirmed Khartoum’s claim to the territory and called for a peaceful resolution under agreements signed by Sudan and South Sudan in 2011.
Abyei’s final status has remained unresolved since South Sudan gained independence in 2011. A referendum intended to determine whether the territory would join Sudan or South Sudan has not been held, partly because the two countries disagree over voter eligibility.
The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), established in 2011, monitors security under interim arrangements intended to keep the area demilitarised.
The strike follows deadly clashes at Amiet Market on September 15, when UNISFA reported that 26 people were killed and 82 injured, prompting the mission to reinforce security around the market.
