Satellite images published on Saturday by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale University revealed that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has obtained advanced drones stationed at Nyala Airport in South Darfur.
The first flight landed at Nyala International Airport on September 21, 2024, shortly after its reopening with enhanced protection measures including jamming systems. Although the army continued to launch air raids on the facility, these attacks ceased after the RSF shot down a warplane east of the city on February 24 of this year.
According to the lab’s report, as cited by “Sudan Tribune,” it stated:
“It identified six advanced drones at Nyala Airport in satellite imagery dated Thursday.”
The report noted that this is the highest number of drones observed at the airstrip since the RSF took control of Nyala Airport, based on satellite images starting from December 9, 2024. Previously, between one and four drones compatible with the Chinese-made Ch-95 or FH-95 models were present at the facility.
It added:
“The increase in the number of drones at Nyala Airport suggests that the RSF continues to receive shipments of advanced weapons systems, and these drones may be capable of surveillance and long-range strikes.”
The report emphasized that the rise in the number of drones at the airport confirms that the RSF is still receiving military supplies, even as it commits mass atrocities including systematic burning attacks, fighting, detention of women, girls, and young people, sexual violence, and the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands from the Zamzam camp.
The lab stated that the six drones at Nyala Airport feature fixed wings measuring 12 meters in width and a body length (from nose to tail) of 8 meters.
It reported that these dimensions match those of drones previously observed in satellite images at Nyala Airport on December 9, 2024, stressing that their specifications are consistent with the FH-95 model, although Reuters indicated they align with the CH-95 model.
