Conflicting Reports over Drone Strike in RSF-Controlled Katila, South Darfur
Both RSF recruits and civilians apparently among the dead
A drone strike on the RSF-controlled town of Katila in South Darfur on December 8 killed a combination of civilians and RSF personnel, according to local media and rights groups, though sources differ on the number of casualties and whether most were civilians or soldiers.
The human rights organization Darfur Victims Support published a preliminary list of names of the dead and wounded and reported that more than 80 people were killed and around 100 injured. The group said most victims were civilians, including women, children, and elderly residents, and that at least four people remained missing. Several of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in Tulus, Edd al-Fursan, and Nyala, where medical staff reported shortages of supplies and personnel.
Separately, Darfur24, citing medical and local officials, reported similar casualty figures and stated that multiple guided munitions struck a public gathering in front of the police building, parts of the market, and sections of the al-Salam neighborhood.
Among the dead was the Nyala Radio correspondent, Dhowai Mohammed Dow al-Bait. Three tribal leaders were missing, according to Darfur 24: Mohammed Ya’qub, nazir (chief) of the Tarjam tribe; Yusuf Ali al-Ghali, nazir of the Habbaniya; and Ali Hussein al-Nur, emir of the Southern Rizeigat.