A General Abdel Fattah al Burhan’s army drone strike has killed Mohammed Hasaballah, emir of the Mahadi tribe, along with three of his family members in West Darfur.
The airstrike targeted their vehicle in the Abu Jadad area of Sirba locality, a region already scarred by months of escalating violence.
Witnesses said the drone appeared without warning before firing a missile that ignited the vehicle, leaving no survivors.
Local leaders condemned the attack, describing it as part of a widening military campaign against tribal figures accused of supporting rival forces.
The Mahadi tribe, one of the prominent groups in the region, has deep historical roots in Darfur’s social and political landscape.
Hasaballah was known for mediating between communities, earning both respect and criticism in the volatile province.
Residents reported fear spreading across nearby villages as army aircraft continued to circle overhead after the strike.
Humanitarian workers said the attack risks further displacement in an area already struggling with shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.
Officials have not commented publicly on the incident, and independent verification remains difficult due to restricted access and communication blackouts.
The killing of a tribal emir marks another dark turn in Darfur’s long and complex conflict, where airstrikes increasingly blur the lines between battlefield and home.
