At least 40 civilians killed in El Daein by Sudanese warplanes
November 22, 2023 (EL DAEIN) – At least 40 civilians were killed and more than 50 others were injured on Tuesday after Sudanese army warplanes bombed the vicinity of the 20th Infantry Division in East Darfur state.
The airstrikes occurred shortly after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced their control of the military base, marking the fourth such takeover since the outbreak of conflict in mid-April.
The RSF, a paramilitary group led by General Abdel Rahim Dagalo”Hemetti”, has now seized control of the 20th Infantry Division marking the fourth military base to fall under its control since the outbreak of conflict in the country in mid-April.
According to journalist Abu Bakr Al-Sandali from El-Daein, the civilian casualties resulted from Sudanese army airstrikes targeting the area around the 20th Infantry Division and the Al-Qubba neighbourhood, hours after the RSF assumed control of the military base.
Al-Sandali explained that the victims were civilians who had gathered to celebrate with RSF soldiers following their successful takeover of the military base.
He further added that calm had been restored to El-Daein after the RSF decided to open the markets, and took measures to prevent military vehicles and motorcycles from entering these areas.
Dagalo pledges
In a speech delivered to a military gathering in front of the army headquarters, RSF Deputy Commander Abdel Rahim Dagalo affirmed the readiness of his forces to protect civilians in the cities of El-Daein, Nyala, Zalingei, and El Geneina.
Dagalo pledged to hand over power to the Sudanese people and establish a civilian government without the involvement of the Muslim Brotherhood. He also appealed to supporters of the banned National Congress Party (NSP) in East Darfur to refrain from inciting unrest.
“To the supporters of the National Congress Party in El-Daein, respect yourselves and be responsible citizens,” Dagalo stated. “We will not try you, but if you cross the line and instigate conflict, we will arrest you.”
Dagalo called on members of the armed forces who had fled El-Daein to return to their city and urged his forces to treat army prisoners and their families with respect and protect them within their homes.
(ST)