An Ilyushin Il-76 freighter crashed in Malha, North Darfur, after being shot down by a local paramilitary group.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed responsibility for shooting down a military aircraft early on October 21, 2024, around 4:00 AM in the Malha area. The RSF announced that the aircraft, initially identified as an Antonov model, was being used by the Sudanese military as a bomber.
🇸🇩 SUDAN | In a bizarre turn of events, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have mistakenly shot down a UAE-operated IL-76 cargo plane (Reg: EX-76011) operated by New Way Cargo Airline in Darfur, thinking it belonged to the Sudanese army. It was reportedly delivering weapons to RSF. pic.twitter.com/gBpTZTlksl
— obinna (@obijeli) October 21, 2024
However, emerging evidence suggests that the downed aircraft was actually part of an airlift operation supporting the RSF, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Mounting evidence of “friendly fire”
Wreckage at the crash site indicates that the Il-76T aircraft was registered EX-76011 and may have been associated with New Way Cargo Airlines, a Kyrgyzstan-based carrier operating out of Ras al-Khaimah, UAE. Preliminary evidence indicates that the aircraft was transporting supplies intended for the RSF.
*Crosses New Way Cargo (former Zetavia UR-CPS) EX-76011 #601120 off the lists* https://t.co/YUe4MEn7uO pic.twitter.com/wuUQ1rDlpY
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) October 21, 2024
A crew badge found at the site—shown in a video circulating online—identified the lead engineer as working for ‘Airline Transport Incorporation FZC’, a company headquartered in the UAE, with ties to Kyrgyzstan. A Russian passport was also found, indicating that at least two people were on board the aircraft, though the Il-76 typically requires a crew of seven.
/2. Passports of Russian pilots which were found on the crash site of the IL-76 in Sudan. pic.twitter.com/A4Ikd6BVtB
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) October 21, 2024
Local media reports, citing documents found at the crash site, suggest that the plane had departed from Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with its final destination believed to be Amdjarass, Chad.
The RSF forces in North Darfur were likely unaware of the secret night flights coordinated by senior leadership. As a result, the rebels may have mistakenly shot down the plane that was arriving with another shipment of military aid.
UAE supply flights to the Rapid Support Forces
Sudan’s Conflict Observatory previously identified New Way Cargo Airlines as regularly operating Il-76 aircraft between Al Dhafra Airbase in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Marechal Idriss Déby Itno International Airport in Amdjarass, Chad.
In September 2023, an investigation by The New York Times identified this eastern Chad airfield as a hub for UAE support for the RSF. A report from the United Nations published in January 2024 confirmed this information.
“Several sources in eastern Chad and Darfur, including among local native and administrative leaders and armed groups operating in those areas, reported […] that, several times per week, weapons and ammunition shipments were unloaded from cargo planes arriving at Amdjarass airport, then loaded on trucks,” the report read.
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a bloody conflict between the army of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane, de facto ruler of Sudan since his coup in 2021, and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commanding the RSF.