2025 IBM Airlines Boeing 737 shootdown

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2025 IBM Airlines Boeing 737 shootdown
5Y-CKD, the aircraft involved in the shootdown, photographed in 2024
Shootdown
Date3 May 2025 (2025-05-03)
SummaryShot down by the Sudanese Armed Forces
SiteNyala Airport, Nyala, Sudan
12°03′13″N 024°57′22″E / 12.05361°N 24.95611°E / 12.05361; 24.95611
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBoeing 737-290C Advanced
OperatorIBM Airlines
Registration5Y-CKD
Flight originWau Airport, Wau, South Sudan[1]
DestinationNyala Airport, Nyala, Sudan
Occupants20[2]
Passengers18
Crew2
Fatalities20
Survivors0

On 3 May 2025, a cargo Boeing 737-290C Advanced operated by IBM Airlines was shot down at Nyala Airport by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) during the Sudanese civil war. It was shot down due to suspicions of carrying military weapons and supplies to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). All 20 people onboard the aircraft were killed.[3]

Background

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Airline

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IBM Airlines is a cargo airline in Kenya and is one of Kenya's newest airline operators. A businessman of Somalian origin with diverse interests in real estate, hospitality, and trade is solely associated with the airline. There is not much information available online about the airline. The airline did not release a statement after the shootdown.[1][4]

Aircraft

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The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-290C Advanced, MSN 22577/760. The aircraft registration was 5Y-CKD and it was operated by IBM Airlines.[citation needed] It was the only aircraft operated by the airline.[3] It was manufactured in 1981 and IBM Airlines acquired the aircraft on March 14, 2024. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) had banned the aircraft from operating in Kenya for unknown reasons.[1][4]

Passengers and crew

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Nationality Passengers Crew Total
Kenya — 1 1
South Sudan — 1 1
United Arab Emirates 18 — 18
Total 18 2 20[2]

There were 18 UAE nationals, 1 South Sudanese pilot, and 1 Kenyan pilot onboard the aircraft.[2]

The captain of the flight was 52 to 53-year-old Kenyan pilot Michael George Oluoch Nyamodi.[1][5] He was an experienced Kenyan pilot who previously did flights in high-risk airspaces in Sudan and Chad. His experience in navigating hostile airspaces made him well-known in regional aviation circles.[citation needed] Nyamodi was considered to have a passion for flying and had four-striped epaulettes on his uniform.[6] He was born in 1972 and was once detained in South Sudan for violating aviation rules.[4][5] He was the brother of Kenyan President William Ruto's lawyer, Paul Nyamondi.[7]

The co-pilot was South Sudanese pilot Samson Ohide.[8] He was also the secretary general of the South Sudanese Pilots Association as well as a pilot with the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF).[4][9]

Shootdown

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The aircraft was briefly cleared for a 72-hour landing window by authorities in South Sudan. While operating in Wau, South Sudan, it was temporarily detained.[1] It was reported that the aircraft was carrying drones.[citation needed] It was also suspected of carrying military weapons and supplies to the RSF.[4] Nyala is controlled by the RSF which uses the airport at the city to transport military equipment.[8][9] As the aircraft prepared to land at Nyala Airport, it was struck by artillery fire and shot down by the SAF due to suspicions of it supplying the RSF.[4] All 20 occupants onboard the aircraft were killed in the shootdown.[2]

Aftermath

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This shootdown has been used as evidence that Kenya is supporting the RSF.[10] Sudan's Vice-President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Malik Agar had previously sent a letter on March 14, 2025, which accused Kenyan President William Ruto of supporting the RSF.[4][11] The Government of Kenya had on multiple occasions hosted Hemedti, the commander of the RSF at State House. Relations between Sudan and Kenya were strained by this shootdown.[1]

A debate in Kenya was sparked about the involvement of Kenyan pilots working for foreign organizations after this shootdown involved a Kenyan pilot.[2] Kenya's Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs did not make a statement on Captain Nyamodi's death. Civil society groups and aviation unions want clarification on if Nyamodi was acting under official contracts or private engagements from the Kenyan government. Kenyan authorities have been urged by advocacy groups to support Nyamodi’s family and make a statement on the shootdown.[citation needed]

After South Sudanese pilot Ohide was killed in the shootdown, South Sudanese's officials issued warnings to citizens to not join the civil war in Sudan. The South Sudan government did not comment on why Ohide flew into a conflict zone.[8] Ohide's body had not been recovered.[9]

Nyamodi's body was moved to Chad and then repatriated back to Kenya.[4] His requiem mass was held at St. Francis ACK Church.[5] Kenyan MP Samuel Atandi went to the home of the family of Captain Nyamodi to condole and express sympathy with his death.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Kenyan Pilot Killed as Aircraft Shot Down in Sudan's Darfur Region". Mwakilishi.com. 13 May 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Kenyan Pilot George Nyamodi Killed in Sudan RSF Mission; Plane Registered in Uganda, 18 UAE Nationals Also Dead". DeepNewz. 12 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b Domink Sipinski (28 May 2025). "Only B737 of Kenya's IBM Airlines destroyed in Sudan". CH-Aviation.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kenyan pilot whose plane was shot down by Sudan army had past run-ins with authoritie". The Free Library. Daily Nation. 12 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Pilot's words before plane was downed in Sudan". ksnmedia. 16 May 2025.
  6. ^ Tonui, Patricia (17 May 2025). "George Nyamodi: 5 touching photos of Kenyan pilot shot down in Sudan". Tuko. msn.
  7. ^ "Kenya Pilot George Nyamondi Dies In Sudan After Sudan Army Shot Down His Plane Transporting Dangerous Weapons To RSF Rebels". City News. 12 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "South Sudan warns nationals against involvement in Sudan war after pilot death". Sudan Tribune. 6 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "South Sudanese pilot killed in SAF airstrike on RSF-operated airport". Sudans Post. 5 May 2025.
  10. ^ Yambo, Mike; Macharia, Jackline; Gonzales, Carlos (16 June 2025). "Exposed: Kenya's arms in Sudan war". Daily Nation.
  11. ^ Mwere, David (23 April 2025). "Parliament confirms receipt of Sudan letter protesting Ruto interference". Daily Nation. msn.
  12. ^ Tonui, Patricia; Omondi, Asher (17 May 2025). "Samuel Atandi Consoles Family of Kenyan Pilot Whose Plane Was Shot Down in Sudan". Tuko.