Satellite images confirm that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces are using drones from Nyala airport, South Darfur, where they have constructed hangars. This development marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict, which since April 2023 has led to significant casualties and humanitarian issues. The RSF has been accused of receiving foreign drone support, which has been denied. Strikes on civilian targets have increased tension.
Recent satellite imagery reveals that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are operating at least three drones from an airport in Nyala, South Darfur, where they are constructing hangars for these aircraft. This location serves as a base for RSF’s offensive against al-Fashir, the last significant area in Darfur still under control of the Sudanese army. The RSF’s actions also encompass targeting the nearby, famine-stricken Zamzam camp for displaced individuals.
The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023 following a power struggle, has led to tens of thousands of deaths and widespread hunger and disease in Sudan. Both the RSF and the army have employed drones, allegedly supported by foreign backing. Analysis indicates that the drones identified at Nyala are Chinese-manufactured CH-95s, equipped for long-range surveillance and strikes.
Maxar imagery first detected a drone at Nyala airport on December 9, 2024. Yale researchers confirmed the presence of these drones in January. While the Sudanese army has accused the RSF of receiving drone supplies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UAE has denied these claims, stating its focus is solely on humanitarian efforts. Meanwhile, RSF representatives countered that the army is the one with modern drones.
Reports indicate that planes from the UAE had flown into an airport near Chad to supply arms to the RSF. Drones from Nyala have been implicated in attacks on civilian targets within al-Fashir, sparking retaliatory airstrikes from the Sudanese army that have resulted in civilian casualties.
On February 3, an airstrike killed 32 people, as documented by medical charity MSF. Additional satellite images have shown evidence of strikes near the Nyala drone hangars, confirming ongoing military engagement in the area. RSF claimed to have shot down a Sudanese army plane, showcasing new anti-aircraft capabilities, with sources suggesting the downed aircraft was an Ilyushin 76 cargo plane.
Videos confirmed by Reuters depict crowds gathering at the wreckage location, underscoring escalating military actions in the region. The Sudanese army has yet to comment on claims regarding UAV operations in Nyala or the ongoing bombardments. The situation in Darfur remains critical as the RSF positions itself for greater power amid territorial fragmentation due to the war, despite a long-standing UN arms embargo failing to prevent a flow of foreign weaponry.
The current analysis illustrates the RSF’s strategic use of advanced drones in the conflict in Sudan, demonstrating the escalating violence and the increasing stakes involving foreign weapon supplies. Despite denials from the UAE and the RSF about drone support, evidence points to ongoing military activities that significantly impact both military operations and civilian safety in Darfur. The lack of effective international intervention highlights the complexities and challenges in addressing this humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
