RSF Amassing Large Fleet of Suicide Drones in Nyala with Foreign Support
Sudan Events – Agencies
A report by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab has revealed unprecedented preparations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Nyala, South Darfur, where a massive fleet of suicide drones and launch platforms has been detected around the city’s airport.
According to the report, which draws on fresh satellite imagery captured on the morning of Monday, September 29, analysts identified 43 drones that were not present just three days earlier, along with 36 launch platforms—20 more than were documented on September 26. This represents the largest escalation of its kind since the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023.
Long-Range Drones
Among the fleet, Yale experts identified 23 Shahed-136 drones—or their equivalents—known as “suicide” or “kamikaze” drones. With a range of 1,500 to 2,500 kilometers, these systems are capable of striking targets anywhere in Sudan and, in theory, reaching neighboring countries. They can crash directly into targets or deliver warheads weighing between 20 and 50 kilograms.
The remaining 20 drones, smaller in size (1.5 × 2 meters), were observed beside launch platforms but could not be conclusively identified due to the limitations of satellite imagery.
Alleged UAE Involvement
Beyond the military buildup, the report pointed to evidence of foreign involvement. It cited an RSF intelligence officer who told Sky News on September 26 that “the UAE is the primary backer” of the militia, and that many aircraft landing in Nyala carry weapons sourced from the Emirates, some routed through Amjaras Airport in Chad.
The report also noted that ADASI, a UAE-based company under the EDGE defense group, signed a 2024 agreement with a Chinese manufacturer to license the production of Sunflower-200 suicide drones—an Iranian Shahed-variant.
Imminent Threat
The report warned that the RSF’s drone buildup poses a direct threat to civilians, infrastructure, and humanitarian operations. It recalled that in May the RSF used similar drones to target Port Sudan—1,600 kilometers from Nyala—and more recently struck a mosque in El Fasher, killing more than 75 civilians.
Call to Action
The report concluded that the RSF is attempting to expand the war into a new phase through the use of advanced technology, deepening Sudan’s humanitarian catastrophe. It argued that this development is not only a military escalation but also proof of sustained foreign support, with clear reference to the UAE’s role.
The report cautioned that the continued presence of these drones on the ground suggests an imminent offensive, urging the international community to take swift action to prevent a potential escalation that could turn Sudan’s skies into an open battlefield.
