10 killed in suspected army drone strike on North Darfur mine

November 16, 2025 (AL-MALIHA) – At least 10 people were killed on Sunday and dozens were injured in an airstrike by a drone, likely belonging to the Sudanese army, that targeted a gold mine on the Sudanese-Libyan border.

Since last March, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have controlled the Al-Maliha locality in North Darfur state. The area, located approximately 210 km north of El Fasher, is one of the strategic locations previously controlled by the army and its allied armed movements in the Darfur region, due to its proximity to the border with Libya and its open supply lines with northern and eastern Sudan.

Activist Al-Rabi Mohammed Babiker told Sudan Tribune that “at least 10 people were killed and about 42 others injured in an airstrike by an army drone that targeted a communications centre at the Taqru mine, north of Al-Maliha city in North Darfur state.”

He clarified that the targeted site is a gold mine hosting large numbers of artisanal miners and has no military presence.

The Sudan Tribune was unable to reach the army spokesman for comment on these accusations.

Since the beginning of this November, Sudanese army warplanes have been active in targeting RSF supply chains in the Sahara desert region, which are supplies coming from Libya.

Retired General Khalifa Haftar, who controls eastern Libya, is accused of providing fuel and military equipment to the RSF, which originates from the United Arab Emirates, as the RSF possesses several military bases there.