Prosecutors from Sudan’s TASIS-backed Peace Government have begun a criminal investigation into the deadly drone strike on Nyala’s livestock market, collecting missile fragments and other material evidence as they examine possible war crimes.
Assistant Attorney General Ahmed al-Nour al-Hala said investigators had visited the attack site alongside federal police officers, health officials and a drone specialist to document the destruction and gather evidence.
The investigation follows the October 16 strike on the crowded market in South Darfur’s capital, which killed and wounded dozens of civilians, according to local medical sources.
Al-Hala said investigators had secured fragments believed to be from the munition used in the attack and were preparing technical examinations to establish the weapon’s type, origin and possible launch location.
He said the team also intended to submit missile fragments and associated serial-number evidence to international investigative bodies for further examination.
Investigators have visited medical facilities to document casualties and interview survivors.
According to the prosecutor, three bodies remained unidentified at the time of his briefing, prompting an appeal for families of missing people to contact the relevant medical authorities.
The investigation is examining possible violations of Sudanese criminal law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecutors said responsibility would not necessarily be limited to those who operated the aircraft, but could extend to individuals involved in planning, ordering, financing or facilitating the attack if the evidence established their involvement.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and TASIS have accused Sudan’s military of carrying out the strike and alleged Egyptian involvement. Those allegations have not been independently established.
Sudan’s military separately acknowledged conducting airstrikes against RSF command facilities in Nyala but did not accept responsibility for hitting the civilian market.
Initial casualty figures have varied. A medical source cited by AFP reported 30 deaths and 47 injuries, while Médecins Sans Frontières confirmed at least four deaths, including a child, and said eight wounded people were receiving treatment at Nyala Teaching Hospital.
The TASIS prosecution team said its investigation would seek to establish the circumstances of the bombing, identify those responsible and pursue legal accountability based on the evidence collected.
