The Sudanese Armed Forces SAF have renewed their aerial bombardment of innocent civilians
In Nyala, South Darfur, the Sudanese Armed Forces SAF have renewed their aerial bombardment of innocent civilians
Darfur Network for Human Rights (DNHR) is deeply concerned about the aerial bombardment of innocent civilians of Nyala, South Darfur, by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which resulted in killing of more than 10 innocent civilians, and wounding of 30, including women and children, as well as the destruction of their homes and properties. It is every civilian’s human right to enjoy their fundamental freedoms and protection, including from military confrontations and conflicts.
On 29 December 2023, at around 10 am, an air bombardment was carried out in the city of Nyala in the state of South Darfur; each of the neighborhoods, including: (al-Salam North, Darwa, al-Matar, al-Jir North, al-Mawashi areas, and al-Riyadh neighborhoods). The Sudanese Armed Forces SAF carried out the bombardment, having renewed their aerial bombardment of innocent civilians,
DNHR monitors met with the owners of destroyed properties by air bombardment. One of them narrated as quoted saying, “I have five children under ages 10 and 14, and their mother was seriously injured and was transferred to al-Tarka Hospital to receive treatment.” He further said that the aerial bombing targeted civilians internally, and not targeting the Rapid Support Forces in their places.
Sources from the city of Nyala confirmed to DNHR that the RSF, with allied militias, seized some civilian homes in neighborhoods in south Darfur Nyala after taking over the city of Nyala in October 2023. They forcibly forced civilians to move outside to the Camps for IDPs surrounding the city and the neighboring states (East Darfur, North Darfur), and some civilians crossed nearby borders.
However, RSF, with allied militias, have made those homes as stores of weapons and depots, marches, and houses for RSF officers. These are homes vacated by many innocent civilians who have fled for safety. Hence, this was dangerous for civilians; according to IHL, as a rule, civilian populations are protected against the dangers of military operations in international and non-international conflicts. The SAF has bombed more than five times in Nyala city since RSF took control of South Darfur.
On 26 December 2023, at around 3 pm, in the village of Yara, located about 30 km North of Nyala, in the South Darfur state, a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft with number C-130 Hercules from the United Arab Emirates landed and offloaded ammunition boxes and loaded boxes of gold. The aircraft had come from the west (Chad) and landed at the small airstrip in Yara village. The plane, upon departure from the airstrip, took the direction to the east.
They were seen handing over every item of cargo from the plane to the RSF officer, who was already waiting for the plane to land. One of the workers who helped offload the cargo confirmed to DNHR that the military aircraft, C-130 Hercules, contained three military marches, 123 boxes, and numerous other boxes as quoted,
For more information, contact:
Mohammed Hassan
Executive Director, DNHR
Email: hassan.m@dnhr.org
Tel: +256 (0)75 279-2112, or +249 (0)92 463-8036
Photo: Youth passes by damaged home after SAF bobing. Source: DNHR.
| Themes |
| • Destruction of habitat • Displacement • Forced evictions • Regional |
