Republic of Sudan
Public Prosecutor’s Office — Government of Peace
Task Force for the Investigation of War Crimes, International Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity
Press Release
Regarding the Crime of the Airstrike That Targeted the Livestock Market in the City of Nyala
At dawn on Saturday, October 17, 2026
The Investigation Team for War Crimes, International Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity, formed by a decision of the Attorney General of the Republic of Sudan, announces that it has documented the heinous crime that occurred today in Nyala, in which a livestock market was bombed by a drone, targeting a gathering of unarmed civilians.
According to preliminary evidence available, this attack resulted in the deaths of more than 39 civilians and injuries to more than 42 civilians, in a scene that reveals the gravity of the assault against citizens who were going about their daily lives in a civilian area.
The team affirms that preliminary evidence indicates the attack targeted a civilian site densely populated with citizens, and that what occurred constitutes a serious incident involving the commission of a war crime and a crime against humanity; its legal classification may extend to the crime of genocide should the investigation reveal the presence of its elements and specific intent.
Furthermore, the nature of the attack, its location, the scale of the human casualties, and the manner in which it was carried out were part of a recurring pattern of targeting the civilian population; all of these will be the subject of a thorough criminal and technical investigation to determine full responsibility for this crime.
The team affirms that the widespread or systematic targeting of the civilian population, with the perpetrators of the attack being aware of its nature, constitutes, as a preliminary classification, a crime against humanity in accordance with the provisions of Article 186 of the Criminal Code of 1991.

The investigation is also being conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 191(a), (b), (c), and (d) of the same law, which pertain to war crimes, attacks directed against the civilian population and civilian objects, and bombardments and attacks that cause excessive civilian casualties.
If preliminary evidence indicates that a group of civilians was targeted with the intent to destroy it, in whole or in part, as a protected group, the team will take legal action regarding the crime of genocide in accordance with the relevant legal provisions.
The Investigation and Inquiry Team affirms the following:
1. That the investigation into this crime began immediately after it occurred, and that it will be treated as an extremely serious crime affecting the right to life, security, and the protection of civilians.
2. Work is underway to document the crime scene, identify the victims, and collect physical and technical evidence related to the shelling.
3. Survivors, the injured, witnesses, the victims’ families, and anyone with relevant information will be interviewed.
4. The remnants of the projectiles and the means of attack will be examined to determine the type of weapon and drone used, as well as their flight path and launch location.
5. The team will work to identify the party that planned, ordered, and carried out the attack, and to establish the individual and command-level criminal responsibility of each
person for whom there is evidence of involvement in the crime.
6. An investigation will be conducted to determine whether the attack was part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population, and to what extent the perpetrators were aware of this.
7. Legal action will be taken against anyone proven to be responsible for this crime, regardless of status, rank, or position.

A Message to Perpetrators of Crimes:
The Public Prosecutor’s Office affirms that the lives of civilians are not a legitimate target, and that markets, homes, hospitals, schools, and places where
citizens gather must not be turned into venues for mass killings.
Targeting unarmed civilians with aerial bombardment—the legal elements of which have been established—will not be treated as a mere isolated incident, but rather as a fully constituted international crime and crime against humanity that warrants criminal accountability.
The investigation team will not limit itself to identifying the perpetrator of the attack but will trace the entire chain of responsibility, including anyone who planned, ordered,
incited, aided, financed, participated in, or contributed to the commission of this crime, as well as anyone whose responsibility for it is established in accordance with the law.
The team also appeals to citizens, the injured, survivors, the families of the victims, witnesses, and anyone in possession of photographs, recordings, information, or evidence
related to the attack to cooperate with the investigating authorities and hand over any materials they have, with the assurance that these will be handled in accordance with legal procedures and that
witnesses and sources will be protected.
The Public Prosecution affirms that the victims’ blood will not be shed in vain, that justice will be served against the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity,
and international crimes, and that impunity is not an option when it comes to crimes targeting civilians.
In this regard, the Public Prosecutor’s Office extends its condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those wounded and those who have suffered physical injuries or property damage.
The Investigation Team for War Crimes, International Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity.
Public Prosecutor’s Office – Government of Peace
Administrative Capital – Nyala
Early Saturday morning, October 17, 2026