Military airstrikes killed at least 40 people in Nyala, South Darfur’s capital, where strikes hit two markets and various neighborhoods.
A medical source confirmed the death toll from a local hospital, asking to stay anonymous for safety.
Darfur, housing one-fourth of Sudan’s residents, faces ongoing conflict between the army and paramilitary forces.
Since August 11, over 50,000 residents fled Nyala. The UN reports frequent communication blackouts in the city due to unrest.
In late August, another day saw 39 people dead in Nyala, a densely populated city in Sudan.
South Darfur
The struggle for Nyala continues in South Darfur, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces are vital players.
The most intense fighting happened from April 15 to 20, 2023. During that period, hundreds died.
A ceasefire brokered by civilians halted the violence on April 20.
By August 2023, battles resumed. The RSF started an attack on the city after months of on-and-off fighting.
South Darfur has been a hotspot for military and paramilitary clashes. This ongoing strife is part of a larger, five-month war tearing through Sudan.
The death toll keeps rising, sowing fear among residents. Many choose to flee, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.
Communication networks often go down in Nyala. This leaves locals isolated, unable to reach the outside world.
The blackouts also make it challenging for aid groups to coordinate relief efforts. This contributes to an escalating humanitarian crisis.
The death of 39 people in late August served as a grim marker. It was a brutal day that highlighted the volatility of the region.
Prelude
In the early morning of April 15, 2023, Rapid Support Forces initiated attacks on crucial sites in Khartoum.
They seized Khartoum International Airport and engaged in street fights across the city and nearby Omdurman and Bahri.
The RSF also took control of the presidential palace, former President Omar al-Bashir’s residence, and hit a military base.
Social media users recorded Sudanese Air Force planes flying over Khartoum and targeting RSF positions.