Satellite images show that at least one of the Egyptian MiG-29 Fulcrum captured by the Sudanese paramilitary group RSF in Sudan was destroyed. Two other aircraft appear to have been damaged.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) who launched a military uprising in Sudan on April 15, 2023, captured Merowe International Airport (Marawi), and with it, five Egyptian MiG-29M2 fighters, along with their pilots and technical personnel.
See also: Egyptian MiG-29M2 fighters captured by Sudanese paramilitary group
The Egyptian servicemen were taken hostage by the RSF fighters and the aircraft were in good condition. However, yesterday, satellite images emerged showing that the aircraft suffered some kind of attack to put them out of action.
#BREAKING: In-order to avoid use of its MiG-29M2 fighter jets captured by RSF rebels in #Sudan #Egyptian Air Force has destroyed & damaged them in #Merowe airport. Also, #EgyptianAirForce has targeted & destroyed several fighter jets of #SudaneseAirForce which had been captured… pic.twitter.com/9LQXgVmi5e
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 17, 2023
At least one of the Egyptian MiG-29 combat aircraft that appeared in videos of militants celebrating their capture appears to have burned to the ground. The other two aircraft seen alongside also appear to have suffered damage and fuel spill stains are visible around them.
The Egyptian fighters may have been sabotaged by the RSF militants as they were leaving the airbase in the face of advancing government forces. But there is also a version circulating that it could have been an attack by the Sudanese Air Force, or by the Egyptian Air Force itself, which was responsible for the destruction of the aircraft. This possibility is supported by the evidence that the hangar where two of the Egyptian MiG-29M2s were housed shows signs of having been bombed.
Four Chinese-made FTC-2000 advanced trainer/light attack aircraft belonging to the Sudanese Air Force were stationed at the same Merowe base. One of these aircraft was also destroyed.
يبدو قوات حميدتي لاتزال في مطار مروي
تظهر المقاتلة الصينية FTC 2000 وهي أحدث مالدى القوات الجوية السودانية pic.twitter.com/caIk9R8nNu— سلطان (@sul6an_651) April 17, 2023
Finally, there is satellite evidence showing that several of the Sudanese Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot ground attack aircraft, which had been captured when RSF soldiers seized El Obeid airport, were also destroyed or severely damaged.
The status and whereabouts of the Egyptian crews and technical personnel taken hostage by the RSF are unknown.
