By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
Khartoum, October 21, 2024 — Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed responsibility for downing an IL-76 cargo plane in western Sudan, reportedly carrying Russian citizens. The incident, confirmed by the Russian Embassy in Sudan, occurred in the Malha region of North Darfur, an area embroiled in the ongoing conflict between Sudanese government forces and the RSF.
Initially, RSF claimed to have downed an Antonov aircraft allegedly used by Sudanese military forces as a bomber. However, wreckage analysis revealed the aircraft was an IL-76 cargo plane. Key identifying markers, including a flight safety manual and the aircraft’s tail number, confirmed that the plane was an IL-76T, tail number EX-76011, operated by New Way Cargo Airlines, a Kyrgyz company.
The downed aircraft raises questions about the role of foreign entities in Sudan’s complex conflict. New Way Cargo Airlines has faced previous allegations of transporting military supplies from the United Arab Emirates to Chad, with reports suggesting these supplies were ultimately funneled to the RSF. The airline was also implicated in violating a UN arms embargo by supporting the Libyan National Army forces of General Khalifa Haftar.
Among the debris, investigators found a badge belonging to the aircraft’s chief engineer, who worked for Airline Transport Corporation FZC, a company registered in the Free Zone of Sharjah International Airport in the UAE. Additionally, a Russian passport was discovered among the remains, confirming the presence of Russian citizens aboard the aircraft. The fate of the crew remains unknown at this time.
Russian Involvement and Escalation in Sudan
The incident follows a pattern of increasing foreign involvement in Sudan’s civil war, particularly concerning Russian interests. The RSF, which has been locked in a power struggle with the Sudanese Army since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023, has been bolstered by foreign support, with accusations of arms smuggling and mercenary activity linked to various external actors, including Russia.
Earlier this month, Sudanese forces reported destroying a Russian-made Federal-M armored vehicle used by the RSF during clashes in Khartoum. The Sudanese Army successfully cleared RSF units from the Al-Lamap area of the capital, further intensifying the battle for control of the war-torn nation.
As the conflict in Sudan escalates, the downing of the IL-76 highlights the fragile and volatile situation, with foreign elements playing an increasingly prominent role in fueling the conflict. The international community continues to call for a resolution to the violence, but with Russian and other foreign actors implicated, Sudan’s path to peace remains precarious.
Implications for Regional Stability
The involvement of New Way Cargo Airlines and the transport of military goods through illicit channels underlines the broader destabilizing influence of foreign actors in the region. The connection between Sudan’s civil conflict, the Libyan civil war, and the shadowy role of mercenaries like the Wagner Group has sparked concerns over the growing militarization of North Africa and the Sahel.
For now, the fate of the Russian crew members remains uncertain as investigations continue. The downing of the cargo plane adds another layer of complexity to Sudan’s already dire situation, with potential international ramifications as the war rages on.