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Sudanese Military Plane Crash Adds to Nation’s Aviation Woes Amid Ongoing War
A Sudanese military cargo plane crashed while attempting to land at a coastal air base, killing all crew members aboard, military officials confirmed Wednesday. The incident marks the latest aviation disaster in the war-ravaged African nation, which continues to struggle with a poor flight safety record.
The Ilyushin Il-76, a Soviet-designed heavy transport aircraft, suffered technical failure during its approach to Osman Digna Air Base in Port Sudan on Tuesday. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity did not specify the number of personnel lost in the crash. Among those killed was military pilot Omran Mirghani, whose death was publicly mourned by his uncle, prominent Sudanese journalist Osman Mirghani.
The Sudanese military has not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
This crash follows a February disaster when a military aircraft went down in densely populated Omdurman, killing at least 46 people including women and children. Such accidents highlight Sudan’s troubling aviation safety record, which has deteriorated further amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict.
The plane crash comes at a particularly challenging time for the Sudanese military, which has suffered significant territorial losses in its protracted battle against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. In October, the military lost control of el-Fasher, its final stronghold in Darfur. This week brought another setback as troops were forced to withdraw from Sudan’s largest oil processing facility in the central Kordofan region.
The humanitarian situation in captured territories has raised grave international concerns. Since seizing el-Fasher, the RSF has been implicated in numerous atrocities, including summary executions and widespread sexual violence. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk addressed these allegations on Wednesday, stating unequivocally that war crimes and “potentially also crimes against humanity” have been committed in the city.
“We are talking about very serious atrocity crimes,” Türk told journalists in Geneva, expressing alarm about the RSF’s recent advances into Kordofan. “We cannot allow a repeat of this absolutely horrific situation in Kordofan,” he emphasized, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 following a power struggle between the military and RSF, has devastated Sudan’s urban centers and claimed over 40,000 lives—a figure human rights organizations believe significantly understates the true death toll. International observers have documented extensive human rights violations throughout the war, particularly in Darfur, where ethnically motivated killings and mass rape have been reported.
Beyond the immediate violence, the war has triggered what many aid organizations describe as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Parts of Sudan now face famine conditions as food production has collapsed and aid distribution networks have been crippled by the fighting. The United Nations has struggled to deliver essential supplies to millions of displaced Sudanese citizens.
Sudan’s aviation infrastructure, already precarious before the conflict, has further deteriorated as resources are diverted to military operations. The loss of trained personnel in crashes like this latest incident compounds the country’s challenges in maintaining safe air transport, which is critical for humanitarian operations in a nation where ground transportation has become exceedingly dangerous.
As the military continues to lose ground to the RSF, international pressure for a negotiated settlement has intensified, though previous ceasefire attempts have repeatedly failed. Meanwhile, ordinary Sudanese civilians bear the brunt of a conflict that shows few signs of resolution in the near term.
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10 Comments
This is a tragic incident that underscores the challenges facing Sudan’s aviation industry amid the ongoing civil conflict. The loss of all crew members is heartbreaking, and it’s critical that the government takes swift action to investigate the cause and implement measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the crew members who perished in this crash. Sudan’s aviation safety record has been worryingly poor, and this incident highlights the need for major reforms and investment to improve standards and oversight.
You’re right, this is a devastating loss. The Sudanese government must make aviation safety a top priority as part of its efforts to stabilize the country and provide reliable transportation infrastructure for both military and civilian use.
This is a tragic incident, highlighting the ongoing aviation safety challenges in Sudan. The country’s military and civil aviation sectors have struggled with poor records amid the protracted civil conflict. My condolences to the families of the crew members lost in this crash.
You’re right, the instability in Sudan has taken a heavy toll on their transportation infrastructure and safety standards. Improving flight safety should be a priority as the country works to resolve its political and security issues.
This crash is yet another tragic reminder of the challenges facing Sudan’s military and civilian aviation sectors. With the ongoing civil conflict, it’s critical that the government prioritizes flight safety and works to prevent further loss of life in these types of accidents.
Another devastating crash in Sudan, further highlighting the urgent need for reforms and investment in the country’s aviation sector. My condolences to the families of the crew members. Improving flight safety should be a top priority for the Sudanese government as they work to address the broader political and security challenges.
Absolutely. Sudan’s aviation safety record has been shockingly poor, and this latest incident is a stark reminder that urgent action is required to modernize the country’s air transport infrastructure and strengthen regulatory oversight. The human cost is simply unacceptable.
It’s concerning to see another military plane crash in Sudan, especially one that resulted in the loss of all crew members. The country’s aviation industry seems to be in dire need of modernization and better safety oversight during this turbulent time.
Absolutely. The frequency of these types of incidents underscores the urgency for Sudan to invest in upgrading its aviation capabilities and addressing the root causes of these recurring crashes. Lives are at stake.