Sudanese army resumes bombing RSF sites in Nyala of South Darfur
September 13, 2023 (NYALA) – Sudanese army warplanes resumed their bombing campaign on Wednesday, targeting sites affiliated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state. Regrettably, these airstrikes resulted in casualties among the civilian population.
Over the past month, the conflict in Nyala has escalated, engulfing most of its neighbourhoods and compelling approximately 50,000 residents to flee towards neighbouring states, according to reports from the United Nations.
Despite a recent truce brokered by armed movements aimed at temporarily halting the hostilities between the conflicting parties, the conflict has reignited in a more brutal manner, inflicting significant harm upon the local populace.
Eyewitnesses recounted the events to Sudan Tribune, stating, “Early on Wednesday morning, military aircraft conducted intense aerial bombardments, targeting RSF positions in the High Dam neighbourhoods at the city’s heart, Riyadh, Texas, as well as the vicinity of Nyala University, the popular market, and the Malja market.”
Mohamed Hassan, a paramedic at Al-Wahda Medical Center in Nyala, expressed his dismay, reporting that he “witnessed the bodies of seven women and several vendors who lost their lives as a result of the attack on Al-Malja market.”
However, activists reported that about 45 civilians were killed during the airstrikes on RSF positions in Nyala residential areas.
For weeks now, the RSF has been striving to gain control of the leadership of the 16th Infantry Division in the state, with the ultimate goal of securing complete authority over Nyala. Nyala, South Darfur’s capital, is the second most populous city after Khartoum, making it a significant strategic target. The RSF has repeatedly launched assaults on the heavily fortified military installations in the area.
On August 16, Maj Gen Yasir Fadlallah, the commander of the Nyala garrison, was tragically shot and killed by one of his guards within the army command. This assassination occurred shortly after Gen Fadlallah had rejected a proposal put forth by civil leaders from the city, suggesting the handover of the army headquarters to the Rapid Support Forces.
In a separate development, a military source based in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, shared insights with Sudan Tribune. The source revealed plans to repurpose El Fasher Airport for military operations, citing the numerous perceived threats surrounding the cities of the region.
“El-Fasher Airport, currently under the control of the Sudanese army, is slated to be operational soon. It will serve as a strategic launch point for countering rebel groups operating in the region, particularly military regiments originating from neighbouring countries bordering the Darfur region” he added.
Growing concerns persist that four out of the five states in the Darfur region may witness internal conflicts. While some population segments in the region declare their support for the RSF, certain ethnic groups accuse these forces of committing numerous crimes and violations amounting to war crimes in the states of West and South Darfur.
(ST)