Sudanese army says it destroyed Emirati plane in Darfur

December 30, 2024 (EL FASHER) – The Sudanese army said on Monday it had destroyed an Emirati cargo plane supplying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, South Darfur, on Saturday.

The army said in a statement that its air force had conducted a series of strikes on RSF positions in Nyala, including the airport, which it said the RSF had been using to receive weapons and evacuate wounded fighters.

“The air force succeeded…in striking an Emirati cargo plane as it was taking off from Nyala airport, leading to its crash,” the statement said.

The army also said it had destroyed drones west of Nyala and killed foreign nationals who were on the roof of a building near Nyala Technical College. Reuters could not independently verify the army’s account.

In a short statement, the RSF accused the army of targeting civilians in Nyala with barrel bombs, resulting in numerous casualties.

The paramilitary group also released a video showing civilians in the Sika Hadid neighbourhood complaining about repeated attacks on their residential area.

Separately, the army said it had shot down six RSF drones targeting El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and shelled southern neighbourhoods of the city, destroying and burning homes.

El Fasher has seen heavy fighting since May between the army and its allies against the RSF, which is trying to seize control of the remaining government strongholds in Darfur.