El Fasher, October 3 (Darfur24)
Drone strikes on Wednesday and Thursday targeted Malha town and the Al-Zarq area in North Darfur, killing and injuring civilians and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) personnel, and destroying combat vehicles, according to eyewitnesses and local sources.
Witnesses said a drone bombed RSF positions in Malha on Wednesday evening, followed by another strike on the city’s “guesthouse” headquarters on Thursday morning, resulting in additional casualties and fires that sent thick smoke billowing over the area.
Medical sources said some of those wounded were taken to Malha Rural Hospital, while critical cases were transferred to Nyala in South Darfur for treatment.
Following the strikes, the RSF imposed a ban on the use of Starlink satellite devices in Malha on Wednesday, forcing residents to seek shelter in neighboring villages to contact their families.
In a statement, the Sudan Foundation Alliance condemned the attacks, describing them as a “heinous massacre.” The group said Turkish-made Akinci drones struck Al-Zarq market on Thursday, killing and injuring dozens of civilians, mostly women and children.
The Alliance stressed that the attack took place in a civilian area with no military presence, calling it a war crime and a violation of international humanitarian law. It announced plans to pursue legal action against those responsible, including the Turkish drone manufacturer.
Malha has been under RSF control since March, after violent clashes with joint forces affiliated with armed movements allied with the Sudanese army. For months, Darfur has witnessed repeated drone strikes, believed to be carried out by the army, resulting in significant human and material losses in several cities, including Nyala.