Nyala: Major Explosions and Disarray Within Militia Ranks

Report – Sudan Events

The day before yesterday, media outlets aligned with the Janjaweed began circulating statements about an impending “response,” asserting that what had occurred would not go unanswered and that they would retaliate against the Sudanese Armed Forces—without clarifying what had actually happened or even indicating the nature of the incident.

Subsequently, reports emerged that Bayraktar drones had targeted Nyala, carrying out powerful strikes against sites believed to be fuel and weapons storage facilities. A source inside Nyala said residents woke to extremely loud explosions and raging fires, particularly in the southern sections of Nyala Airport and in the central area of the airport. Immediately after the explosions, a massive fireball was seen lighting up the city’s sky, followed by continuous blasts believed to have been caused by munitions stored at a facility hit in the strikes.

Following the attacks, several roads leading to the airport were closed, while fires continued burning until the following morning. The source added: “Unlike previous periods, when drone strikes usually occurred at dawn, the attacks are now taking place throughout the day. We have also begun to see warplanes that had disappeared for a long time return to daylight operations, alongside intensified drone strikes. This has created a state of uncertainty among militia commanders, who have begun relocating from their residences near the airport and elsewhere to residential neighborhoods out of fear of being targeted.”

He continued: “Areas where they gather have become almost devoid of vehicles, as the assembly of cars is now banned in any location where militia leaders are present.”

According to the source, the strike appeared to be particularly powerful, as its aftermath was far from routine. Movement in and out of the airport and along its main road dropped significantly. Locations where Colombian and Ukrainian mercenaries were previously based also appear to have changed, as they are no longer frequently seen. In addition, arrests among their ranks have increased sharply after some of their leaders openly turned to human trafficking.

Militia forces have reportedly been arresting traders and demanding ransoms for their release, only freeing them after payments are made. Cases cited include those of Mohamedain Abu Al-Qasim and Karar Al-Tijani, among others, who were detained and held for ransom. This practice has reportedly become widespread in Nyala and across all areas under militia control.

Thousands of detainees are currently held in Dagris Prison, which has turned into a nightmare, with prisoners transferred there from various regions and detained under extremely harsh conditions, often without charges—solely for the purpose of negotiating ransom payments with their families. In some cases, ransoms are paid but detainees are not released.

Multiple sources reported that the drone strike on Nyala Airport destroyed a newly installed, modern air defense system that had not yet entered service, as well as weapons depots, fuel supplies, and combat vehicles stationed at the airport. An Ilyushin aircraft reportedly escaped destruction after departing moments before the airstrike.

Army warplanes had also previously targeted the headquarters of the 16th Infantry Division in Nyala, which serves as the militia’s main operations center in Darfur. On Thursday, airstrikes also hit the fuel market area inside Nyala’s main market, further throwing militia ranks into disarray.

This came after the militia had promoted claims in recent weeks that army aircraft were incapable of striking the city due to advanced systems installed at the airport and in parts of Nyala—a theory that has now collapsed, as the city has come under daily, intensive aerial bombardment.

Major General (Ret.) Salah Mohamed Khaled said: “Yes, they relied on jamming devices and modern air defense systems, but the army studied them, learned how to deal with them, and how to neutralize them—these are matters military professionals know how to handle in warfare.”

He added: “In addition to Nyala Airport, they are now working intensively to operate through El-Fasher Airport, believing this will partially resolve their supply and evacuation challenges caused by long and exposed supply lines. However, given the highly precise intelligence work on the ground, they are attempting to prepare the airfields they use, including for launching strategic drones. This effort is costly, and the air force can target and destroy what they have been working on for months within half an hour.”

He concluded: “The army is continuously developing its capabilities and equipment, and it knows when, how, and why to strike specific targets.”