RSF Claims Shootdown of Sudanese Air Force Il-76 Over Babanusa Amid Intensifying Conflict

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have claimed responsibility for shooting down a Sudanese Air Force Ilyushin Il-76 military transport aircraft over the city of Babanusa, escalating ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

According to a statement released by the RSF, the aircraft had conducted airstrikes on several towns in West Kordofan including Wad Banda, Aiyal Bakhit, El-Fula, and Babanusa resulting in civilian casualties. The RSF said its air defense units responded by targeting and downing the aircraft, which it described as part of the SAF’s campaign against residential areas and markets.

The RSF accused the SAF of using “missiles and barrel bombs” and referred to the national military as the “terrorist Islamic Movement’s Army”.

The SAF confirmed the loss of the Il-76 but offered a different account, stating that the aircraft suffered a technical failure in the right wing, which led to a fire and subsequent crash. The military said the aircraft was conducting a supply drop mission to support government troops in Babanusa and did not acknowledge being hit by hostile fire.

Defense analysts have speculated that the RSF may have used a Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense system, reportedly supplied by the United Arab Emirates, to bring down the aircraft. The FK-2000 system is capable of engaging aircraft, helicopters, and drones within a 10-15 km range, though this claim has not been independently verified.

This incident marks the second reported Il-76 loss in Sudan within a year, following a similar shootdown in North Darfur in October 2024. That aircraft was reportedly operated by a foreign cargo airline and believed to be supplying RSF forces.

The downing of the Il-76 highlights the growing complexity of Sudan’s conflict, with non-state actors now fielding advanced air defense capabilities. The situation continues to raise concerns over civilian safety and regional stability as both sides intensify their operations.