Nairobi, September 23 (Darfur24)
Three Rapid Support Forces (RSF) military sources said an attack on Nyala International Airport earlier this month disrupted a flight that was scheduled to transport RSF personnel to a battlefront.
The sources told Darfur24 that the flight was scheduled for September 6 or 7, but was cancelled after an airstrike damaged an aircraft stationed at the airport. They said no casualties were reported.
Two RSF soldiers, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said they arrived at the airport at about 7 p.m. in preparation for deployment to fighting fronts in the desert along the Sudan-Libya border.
They said that less than an hour later, they heard a loud explosion inside the airport compound, triggering panic among the personnel. They were subsequently informed that the flight had been cancelled and would be rescheduled.
Residents told Darfur24 that air traffic at Nyala airport had increased during August and September, with aircraft landing and taking off during daylight hours.
The RSF reopened Nyala International Airport in September 2024, and the airport has since served as a logistical hub for the force, according to sources.
Nyala also previously served as the administrative capital of the Sudan Founding Alliance, known as Ta’sis.