The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed in contradictory statements that it shot down an army “fighter jet.”
The incident occurred on Tuesday when the plane was airdropping supplies to troops in the besieged city of Babanusa, where Sudanese forces are fighting the RSF, a military statement said.
According to RT, the military said the plane suffered a “technical failure of the right engine,” causing it to lose balance and catch fire after “successfully completing a landing operation.” The number of passengers was not disclosed.
In a separate statement, RSF claimed to have shot down an “Ilyushin fighter” over Babanusa after “launching airstrikes and killing dozens of civilians” in multiple areas of West Kordofan.
According to local newspaper Sudan Tribune, the group has been attempting to take over the city since its first attack in January 2024.
MNA/