Drone strike on market in disputed Abyei kills about 73, local minister says

As of 7:57 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

About 73 people were killed when drones struck a market in the disputed Abyei region on the border of South Sudan and Sudan on Monday, the caretaker information minister for the jointly administered region said, accusing Sudan's army of carrying out the attack, Reuters reported. The minister did not provide evidence for his claim of who was responsible, Reuters said. The attack took place around midday on Monday, according to local authorities, Reuters reported.

"Around 73 people have been killed and 19 have been wounded … a number of drones were shot yesterday by the Sudanese armed forces," Yohana Akol Ngor, the caretaker minister of information in Abyei, told Reuters.

A spokesperson for Sudan's armed forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations, Reuters reported.

The United Nations said separately that drone strikes on Monday injured at least 19 people in a busy market in Abyei, UN News reported.

South Sudan's foreign ministry said in a statement late Monday that drones struck a market north of Abyei town, but did not specify the number of civilian casualties, according to Reuters. The ministry said it had summoned the Sudanese ambassador to convey the government's "strong protest and deep concern," Reuters reported.

Médecins Sans Frontières said it was treating more than 20 wounded people at the nearby Ameth Bek Hospital, including several critical cases, Reuters reported.

Abyei is an oil-rich area jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, both of which claim it.