Nyala, December 3 (Darfur24)
Five civilians were killed and several others injured on Monday evening in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, after stray bullets struck residential areas during celebrations marking the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of the Sudanese Army’s 22nd Division headquarters in Babanusa, West Kordofan State.
Residents told Darfur24 that heavy gunfire, from both light and heavy weapons, erupted across the city as RSF supporters marked the group’s advance in Babanusa. The celebratory shooting continued for hours, sending fear through neighborhoods across Nyala.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that five civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Karari neighborhood west of the radio station and in the Musia suburb. Among the victims were two children: 12-year-old Musa Muhammad and another boy identified as Hassan, both of whom died instantly after being struck by stray bullets.
A medical source at Nyala Teaching Hospital said multiple injured people were brought to the facility and to the Turkish Hospital. One of the wounded later died despite receiving treatment.
Monday’s incident follows a similar tragedy in October, when four civilians, including a child from the Atash camp, were killed and others wounded after heavy celebratory gunfire erupted in Nyala following the RSF’s capture of the army headquarters in El Fasher.
Authorities in Nyala have repeatedly warned against the use of firearms during public celebrations, but such incidents continue to result in civilian casualties.