A drone strike hit a crowded livestock market in Nyala, the capital of Sudan’s South Darfur state, on Friday. A medical source reported 30 deaths and 47 injuries. The Rapid Support Forces blamed the army, which acknowledged operations against military targets in the city without addressing the market casualties. Responsibility and the definitive toll remain independently unconfirmed.
A drone strike hit a livestock market in Nyala, the capital of Sudan’s South Darfur state, on Friday. An unnamed medical source reported 30 deaths and 47 injuries. The casualty count remains attributed to that source, and responsibility for the market strike has not been independently established.[1], [2]
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, blamed the Sudanese army. Its allied Sudan Founding Alliance, known as Tasis, said the Al-Mawashi market was crowded with civilians. Coalition spokesperson Ahmed Tugod Lissan reported 30 deaths and 43 injuries and said counting continued. The injury figure differs from the medical source’s account.[1]
The army said it had struck command centres, positions and fighters in Nyala. It claimed to have destroyed military facilities but did not address the reported civilian casualties at the market.[1]
The Emergency Lawyers Group, a Sudanese rights organisation, condemned the reported civilian deaths and destruction and called for an independent investigation and accountability. Tasis also requested an investigation. Nyala has been controlled by the RSF since October 2023. The war between the army and the paramilitary force began in April 2023 and has displaced millions of people.[1]
