Sudanese warplanes unleash second airstrike on Nyala in less than a month

December 29, 2023 (NYALA) – The Sudanese Air Force launched a second airstrike on the city of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, on Friday, inflicting casualties on dozens of civilians.

Eyewitnesses reported that the air raids targeted several neighbourhoods in northern Nyala, including Al-Salam, Al-Riyadh, the airport, factories, and Khartoum Belil.

The airstrikes caused widespread destruction, leaving dozens of homes razed and forcing thousands of citizens to flee for safety.

The latest airstrike comes just weeks after Sudanese military aviation targeted the Sudanese army headquarters in Nyala, which has been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces since October.

A  local human rights group, Darfur Justice Platform, confirmed that the raids resulted in the killing and wounding of 118 people. The platform vehemently condemned the continued airstrike attacks on populated areas, labelling them as crimes that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Forces of Freedom and Change (FCC) strongly criticized the aerial attack in Nyala and urged all parties involved in the conflict to cease all aerial and artillery strikes targeting civilian areas. The pro-democracy coalition further alleged that Islamic elements embedded within the state apparatus were responsible for these attacks, which aimed to undermine the pursuit of peace in the country.

The Rapid Support Forces currently control four out of five states in the Darfur region, with El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, remaining outside their control.

(ST)