In the early hours of October 21, 2024, a dramatic incident occurred in Malha, North Darfur, which could further aggravate the fragile situation in Sudan. An Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane was shot down by the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which immediately claimed responsibility for the incident. This crash raises questions about military operations in the region, the role of external actors such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the dangers of friendly fire.
According to the RSF, the military aircraft was shot down near Malha at around 4:00 a.m. Initially, the aircraft was identified as an Antonov, but later information suggests that it was actually an Il-76 conducting operations for the RSF. This sheds new light on the intricacies of the Sudanese conflict and the potentially opaque air transport operations in the region.
The aircraft, bearing the registration EX-76011, likely belonged to New Way Cargo Airlines, a Kyrgyz airline operating from Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE. Reports indicate that the aircraft was carrying goods destined for the RSF, which is corroborated by a crew ID found at the scene of the accident. The ID indicated the Airline Transport Incorporation FZC, a company with ties to Kyrgyzstan and the UAE.
In addition, a Russian passport was found, indicating that there were at least two people on board, although the Il-76 usually requires a crew of seven. The plane had reportedly previously taken off from Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and was on its way to Amdjarass Airport in Chad.
Friendly Fire and the Role of the RSF
The RSF forces responsible for shooting down the plane may have acted unwittingly. It is believed that they were unaware of the secret night flights coordinated by the UAE. This information is particularly explosive as it raises the possibility of "friendly fire" - a tragic misunderstanding in which friendly or allied forces are mistakenly attacked.
The incident highlights the uncertainty and chaos that characterizes the Sudanese conflict. The RSF, operating alongside the UAE, appears to have been unaware of all information regarding the aircraft movements, which led to this fatal error.
Military support from the UAE
The UAE's role in Sudan, and in particular its support of the RSF through military transport, has already been investigated by several sources, including UN and New York Times reports. These reports note that cargo planes regularly fly with arms and ammunition shipments to Amdjarass in Chad, from where the goods are distributed to the RSF. These support operations contribute to tensions in the region and enhance the RSF's military capabilities.
A New York Times investigation in September 2023 identified Amdjarass airport as a central point for military support to the RSF. The conflict in Sudan, which has been raging since April 2023, is a confrontation between the regular army and the RSF, which is under the command of General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The crash of the Ilyushin Il-76 in North Darfur is more than just a tragic event. It reflects the complex and often dangerous entanglements that characterize the Sudanese conflict. The role of external powers such as the UAE, which are fueling the conflict through secret air transport, must be critically examined. At the same time, the incident raises serious questions about coordination and communication within the RSF.
In a region already plagued by violence and instability, this incident has the potential to further escalate the situation. The international community should monitor closely and intervene if necessary to minimize bloodshed and assist affected civilians.
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