Drone strike hits Amiet market in Abyei

A drone struck Amiet Market in Abyei’s Ameth-Aguok County on Monday morning, local authorities said.

Yohana Akol Ngor, the Abyei caretaker minister of information and government spokesperson, said the strike hit the northern part of the market. Photos shared on social media show thick black smoke and flames rising above market stalls as people move away.

Akol urged residents to stay in their homes and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. He said authorities had started investigations to establish what happened and how many people were killed or injured.

Abyei officials have not said who carried out the strike. Sudans Post reported that witnesses blamed drones of the Sudanese army. Hot in Juba could not independently confirm this, and Sudan’s army has not commented.

Why it matters

Amiet is the main common market where traders from Abyei and Sudan buy and sell goods. It reopened only in late September after deadly violence on Sept. 15, which the UN peacekeeping force UNISFA said killed 26 people and injured 82. Later reports put the death toll at 40.

The strike comes as tension grows over Abyei ahead of the Dec. 22 elections. South Sudan plans to include the area in the vote, which Sudan opposes.

This is a developing story. Hot in Juba will update it as more details come in.

Related: Sudan restates claim to Abyei as new committee chief takes over

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