Sudanese army denies Nyala bombing as HRW details civilian toll
June 4, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army on Wednesday denied a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report accusing it of using unguided bombs in early February airstrikes on residential and commercial areas of Nyala, South Darfur State.
Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah, the army’s spokesperson, stated that HRW’s claims of bombing civilians were “untrue and detached from reality.” He called the report part of “an international conspiracy targeting Sudan and its people,” criticizing the watchdog for ignoring “atrocities and violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against civilians.”
Abdallah added, “We affirm that the militia – the RSF – is directly and systematically targeting public facilities, including health institutions, water sources, and electricity, before the eyes of the international community without any significant action.”
HRW, in its report, asserted that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) killed “scores of civilians” in these attacks. It deemed them “indiscriminate” and “apparent war crimes.” The report specified the use of unguided air-dropped bombs, like OFAB-250 and FAB-series general-purpose bombs. These weapons have wide-area effects and limited accuracy, making them unsuitable for targeting military objectives in populated areas.
The watchdog detailed repeated army attacks on Nyala, home to over 800,000 people, since the RSF took control in October 2023. These assaults were indiscriminate, with bombs hitting areas not designated as military targets.
Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, a senior HRW researcher, stated, “The Sudanese military has hit densely populated residential and commercial neighbourhoods in Nyala using inaccurate bombs.” He added, “These attacks have killed scores of men, women, and children, destroyed families, and caused fear and displacement.” HRW reiterated that indiscriminate attacks, if deliberate or reckless, constitute a war crime.
The HRW report documented numerous strikes from November 2024 to February 2025. Also, it included harrowing testimonies from victims and witnesses, describing severe injuries, dismembered bodies, and widespread destruction. Victims faced limited access to medical care.
The army ceased airstrikes on Nyala after the RSF shot down a military aircraft on Feb. 24, subsequently using drones to target RSF positions.