Full Breakdown
Sudanese Army Air Strikes in Nyala Spark Civilian Casualty Claims
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Sudanese army announced that a series of air attacks on Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, struck Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions and command centres. In its statement, the army said the strikes killed dozens of RSF fighters. The RSF countered that a drone strike hit a busy livestock market in the city, killing 30 civilians – including 17 women and five children – and accused the army of targeting non-combatants.
Background & Context
Fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF has intensified since the civil war erupted in 2023, with both sides vying for control of Darfur’s western territories. The RSF currently administers much of the region, while the army has repeatedly deployed drones to reclaim ground. Earlier this month, military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan pledged to seize “every inch” of RSF-held territory. The United Nations has labeled Sudan’s situation the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Official Statements & Responses
The army’s statement framed the Nyala attacks as necessary actions against RSF military assets, asserting that the operation successfully eliminated a number of RSF combatants. The RSF’s response described the same strike as a civilian market attack, emphasizing the loss of women and children and condemning the army for indiscriminate use of drones.
Data & Statistics
- Army claim: dozens of RSF fighters killed (exact figure not disclosed).
- RSF claim: 30 civilian deaths, including 17 women and five children.
- Overall war toll: tens of thousands killed since 2023, according to UN estimates.
These competing accounts illustrate the ongoing dispute over the humanitarian impact of aerial operations in Sudan’s protracted civil war.