Rapid RSF Drone Buildup in South Darfur Signals Imminent Threat

Satellite imagery has revealed a significant military escalation by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) at Nyala airport in South Darfur, where 43 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed. The Yale School of Public Health's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) analyzed the imagery, noting that these drones were absent from the site as recently as September 26, 2025, indicating a rapid buildup at the RSF-controlled airbase.

The imagery also shows 36 drone launchers, 20 of which were newly installed since the September 26 observation. This combination of drones and launchers is considered a strong indicator of an impending attack, posing a clear and immediate danger to civilians, critical infrastructure, and humanitarian aid access in the region.

Of the 43 drones, 23 are Shahed-style long-range delta-wing UAVs, each with a wingspan of approximately 2.5 meters and a length of 2.8 to 3 meters. These drones are designed as "suicide drones," intended to crash into targets and are not reusable. Some are equipped with photo and video capabilities. The remaining 20 UAVs, measuring about 1.5 meters by 2 meters, are positioned near the launchers. The Shahed-style drones match those observed at Nyala on May 6, 2025, which were linked to RSF drone attacks on Port Sudan, approximately 1,600 kilometers away, between May 3 and 7, 2025.

With an estimated range of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers, the long-range delta-wing UAVs at Nyala could potentially strike anywhere in Sudan, amplifying the threat they pose. The HRL's findings, based on satellite imagery, thermal sensor data, and open-source analysis from social media, local news, and multimedia sources, also point to external support for the RSF. Reports suggest that the United Arab Emirates has provided backing, with some UAVs allegedly delivered through Chad.

The ongoing conflict between Sudan's army and the RSF, which began in April 2023 in Khartoum, has spread across the country, causing widespread devastation. The war has claimed at least 40,000 lives and displaced up to 12 million people, according to United Nations officials. The rapid deployment of drones in South Darfur further escalates the crisis, raising urgent concerns about the safety of civilians and the stability of the region.