Explosions were heard around Nyala Airport in South Darfur on Sunday evening after the Sudanese army launched airstrikes shortly following the landing of a UAE cargo aircraft, according to local sources.
Eyewitnesses reported that intense shelling targeted the airport perimeter, triggering a large explosion believed to have struck storage areas or equipment inside the facility.
Preliminary reports suggest that the UAE cargo plane had landed moments earlier, though details regarding its cargo and mission remain unclear.
The Sudanese army has not yet issued an official statement, but security sources described the strike as a “preventive operation” amid growing concerns over alleged foreign military supplies reaching rebel forces through western Sudan.
The incident underscores escalating tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, which Khartoum accuses of backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) — a charge Abu Dhabi has repeatedly denied.
Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, has witnessed intense clashes and air raids in recent months as government forces attempt to regain control of areas under RSF influence.
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