Airstrike or shelling kills civilians in al-'Aylafun

⚠️ Graphic and disturbing video

On October 9, 2023, disturbing video emerged on social media, showing damages to civilians property and two dead bodies. The individuals in the video attribute the damage to an airstrike, though shelling cannot be ruled out.

Based on social media analysis, the Sudan War Monitor team narrowed the search to the al-’Aylafun area, 30 km southeast of Khartoum. Utilising EO Browser false color composite we identified a change in the landscape in the north of the city.

A deeper analysis of the video showed several noteworthy features that enabled a geolocation (15.446778, 32.725436), including a tree, tiled roof, and a public square. The estimated damaged area is 450 meters square.

For context, the Rapid Support Forces attacked al-’Aylafun on October 5-6, driving SAF out of the city and back toward a base on the southern side of the town. Military sources quoted by Sudanese media said the army withdrew to make space for airstrikes and drone attacks.

The city is home to a key pumping station along the oil pipeline that runs between South Sudan’s oil fields and Sudan. Technicians, engineers, and other workers were evacuated from the pumping station during the fighting, AFP reported.

Map of the location: