Flash report: Alleged drone strike hits Jebel Aulia market

Sudan Witness has verified damage to Jebel Aulia, Khartoum, following a reported airstrike, leading to civilian deaths and destroyed property.

On 21 July, a video was posted to a pro-RSF Telegram channel showing damage to a market area. The description stated that a “drone bombed the triangle market in Jebel Aulia, another massacre against innocent, defenceless civilians”. CIR geolocated the footage to the western end of Jebel Aulia street where the market is situated in the merchants' district, Hayu Al Tujaar.

Figure 1: Geolocation of footage showing the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Jebel Aulia market [15.241617,32.502338] Sources: Google Earth and Telegram

CIR confirmed five deaths in the footage, including two children, and one injured man, all situated amid the debris from damaged market stalls and commercial property. At 1:21 minutes, the person filming focusses on crater-like damage in front of the destroyed vehicle. Analysis of Planet satellite imagery confirmed damage occurred on 24 July, next to where the video was geolocated to in Jebel Aulia market.

Figure 2: Satellite imagery showing dark marks to the ground at Jebel Aulia market on 24 July 2024 [15.241617,32.502338] Source: Planet

Jebel Aulia is strategically located to the east of the White Nile river, connecting Khartoum to Omdurman and to Darfur. The RSF first attacked the city in November 2023. It has remained under RSF control since 20 November 2023, when the paramilitary took over the SAF’s 226th Air Defence Brigade base.  Get notified when we publish about Sudan. Sign up for email alerts.