Al-Daein, January 06 (Darfur24)
East Darfur Governor Mohamed Abdel Rahman, appointed by the military-backed government, acknowledged on Monday the existence of a dirt airstrip southeast of Al-Daein city that was established by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after they took control of the state.
The acknowledgment follows a Darfur24 report published last week, which revealed that the RSF has been using a dirt airstrip in East Darfur, where several cargo planes have landed in recent months.
In a widely circulated video, Abdel Rahman stated that the Sudanese army had prior knowledge of the reopening of the “Bakhakh” airstrip, located southeast of Al-Daein. He explained that the RSF rehabilitated the site after asphalt was removed from Al-Daein Airport and used it to receive aircraft.
He added that Al-Daein Airport has been out of service since the outbreak of the war, noting that its runway is currently unsuitable for operation and would require major efforts to restore.
The RSF reportedly rehabilitated the dirt landing strip, which had previously been used by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for aircraft involved in agricultural pest control.
Local sources confirmed that RSF vehicles were seen arriving at the airstrip, located in the Al-Sarj area southwest of Al-Firdous city and south of Al-Daein. The area has reportedly been fenced with barbed wire, with access restricted within a radius of approximately five kilometers.
Darfur24 was unable to independently verify the purpose of the airstrip’s use. However, eyewitnesses reported the arrival of large herds of sheep and goats, alongside continuous truck movements coinciding with aircraft landings. Other trucks were seen leaving the site toward unknown destinations.
In the same context, sources said significant numbers of livestock were transported from western Al-Qouz, through the Al-Toumat market—the largest livestock market in southern Darfur—toward the landing site.
They also reported that large trucks, heavily guarded by RSF forces and escorted by four combat vehicles, frequently arrived at the area at the same time as aircraft landings.
According to local sources, between three and five flights ,,,have landed at the airstrip weekly since it began operations in May 2025. Over the past two months, the number reportedly declined to two flights per week, typically on Sundays and Thursdays.