Satellite imagery captured on October 14 and 15, 2026, has provided new evidence of fire damage near Nyala Airport, a strategically important facility in western Sudan currently under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.

An analysis conducted by Al Jazeera's Open Source Unit examined high-resolution images to assess the impact of military activity around the airport.

The findings identified a significant fire immediately adjacent to the main runway on October 14. Imagery captured the following day showed that the smoke had disappeared and the fire was no longer visible.

Thick Smoke Detected Near the Main Runway

According to Al Jazeera's investigation, satellite images obtained by Vantor on October 14 documented a large column of black smoke rising from an unpaved area directly beside Nyala Airport's main runway.

The location of the fire raised the possibility that military equipment, supply materials or positions associated with the RSF may have been affected.

However, the dense smoke obscured the precise point of ignition, preventing a conclusive identification of the damaged assets.

The satellite evidence alone does not establish the type of military equipment involved or confirm the extent of any operational losses.

October 15 Images Show No Major Runway Damage

A subsequent satellite image captured by Planet on October 15 showed that the smoke had completely cleared from the airport area.

Al Jazeera's visual assessment found no apparent structural damage to the main runway, taxiways or nearby essential airport infrastructure.

The findings suggest that the fire remained largely confined to the unpaved area immediately adjacent to the runway.

Nevertheless, the absence of visible runway damage does not rule out damage to military equipment, supplies or smaller facilities located within the airport complex.

Sudanese Army Claims Destruction of RSF Command Centres

In a statement issued on Friday, October 16, the Sudanese Armed Forces announced that its air force had carried out targeted strikes against RSF command centres and military positions in Nyala.

The army claimed that the operations killed dozens of RSF fighters and destroyed several command facilities.

The RSF, however, accused the military of striking a livestock market in the city, claiming that 30 civilians were killed. Local medical sources also reported fatalities following the market attack.

The military and civilian casualty claims have not all been independently verified.

The October 14 and 15 airport satellite images should be distinguished from reports concerning the October 16 attack on the livestock market, as they do not document the latter incident.

Nyala Airport Remains a Strategic Military Facility

Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, has remained under RSF control since October 2023 and serves as one of the paramilitary group's principal centres in the Darfur region.

The city's airport has repeatedly been linked in previous reports to military supply movements and logistical activities associated with the RSF.

Its strategic position has made the airport and surrounding facilities important targets in the Sudanese army's aerial campaign against RSF-controlled territory.

In recent months, military operations across Darfur and Kordofan have intensified, with airstrikes and drone operations becoming increasingly significant elements of the conflict.

The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.

The latest satellite findings establish that a substantial fire occurred near Nyala Airport's main runway without causing clearly visible structural damage to the airport's principal aviation infrastructure.

However, the full extent of military losses and the precise nature of the affected installations remain uncertain.