At least 56 people have been killed and over 158 injured following deadly artillery shelling and air strikes on a vegetable market in Omdurman, Sudan, according to reports from the Al Jazeera and medical sources. The attacks were attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in a power struggle with Sudan’s regular army since April 2023.

The assault on Saturday, February 1, emerged from RSF-controlled areas in western Omdurman, overwhelming local hospitals, notably the Al-Nao Hospital. Witness accounts detailed that "shells hit in the middle of the vegetable market," which accounted for a high number of casualties, as stated by survivors and medical volunteers present at the scene. This incident has intensified concerns regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with more than 12 million people uprooted and critical health facilities largely rendered inoperative.

The RSF has faced international condemnation, with officials accusing them of perpetrating "criminal acts" violating humanitarian laws. Khalid al-Aleisir, the Sudanese government spokesperson, emphasized the brutality of the assault, which resulted in significant civilian deaths, including among women and children, as highlighted in a statement reported by Le Monde.

In a broader context, the conflict has resulted in catastrophic humanitarian conditions nationwide. Recent investigations indicate approximately 26,000 fatalities in Khartoum alone since the onset of hostilities. Ongoing clashes have not only led to the displacement of over 3.6 million civilians but have also declared famine across five regions, particularly in those under RSF control, as the United Nations has reported.

The intensity of the ongoing violence has prompted the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the Sudanese army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for assaults on civilian infrastructure, while RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo faces similar scrutiny for human rights violations, particularly in Darfur. Both factions continue their struggle for dominance over the capital, which has been left in a state of despair, as shown by the harrowing accounts of residents caught in the conflict.

The Emergency Response Room (ERR), which coordinates emergency medical responses across Sudan, reported increased tension throughout Khartoum as army forces retake control of various bases, intensifying the clashes that have already devastated significant urban areas. Echoing a sense of ongoing unrest, Daglo declared the troops' determination to reclaim Khartoum from the army, stating, "We expelled them [from Khartoum] before, and we will expel them again,” reflecting the volatile power dynamics within the region.

As the situation evolves, the humanitarian need continues to grow, with dire shortages in medical supplies and assistance further complicating the crisis. As reported by India Times, an urgent reassessment of resources and international aid is now more crucial than ever.