Deadly Airstrikes in Nyala Leave Civilians in Disarray

Sudanese army warplanes unleashed a series of airstrikes on Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, early on Thursday, causing casualties among civilians.

This marks the third time military aircraft have targeted the city since October 26, when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) assumed full control.

The Sudanese army justified these airstrikes as part of its efforts to destroy military equipment, including ammunition, rocket launchers, drones, and sophisticated communication systems, the RSF received via Emirati aircraft.

However, the RSF leadership denied these claims, stating that the army is deliberately targeting civilians in a bid to force them to flee and expressed outrage at the airstrikes.

Eyewitness reports indicated that the military aircraft dropped eight explosive barrels each in the neighbourhoods of the Airport, Riyadh, the vicinity of the 16th Infantry Division Command as well as the ancient Nyala Mosque.

Also affected are the headquarters of the Sudanese Telecommunications Company, Sudatel and and the museum south of the Al-Wadi neighbourhood.

In December, many Nyala residents took to the streets to protest against the repeated airstrikes, calling on the international community to pressure the Sudanese army to cease its military operations in South Darfur.