Conflict Analytics Director @HRL_YaleSPH // atrocity early warning/rapid response via responsible data tech // New Haven
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ALT Nyala Airport, South Darfur UAV with ~19-meter wingspan consistent with BZK-005E observed at RSF-controlled airport, 06 May 2026. Copyright: Satellite Imagery 06 May 2026 © 2026 Vantor. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. Text: A UAV with dimensions not previously identified at RSF-controlled Nyala Airport is visible in satellite imagery collected on 06 May 2026. The observed UAV is consistent with a BZK-500E. UAV Measurements and Configuration: Wingspan: 18.8-19m Length (nose to tail): approx 10 m Horizontal tail/stabilizer: approx 4.5m Primary Wing Orientation : Tapered Straight Tail Orientation: Twin Boom Nose: Rounded
ALT Nyala Airport, South Darfur UAV with ~19-meter wingspan consistent with BZK-005E observed at RSF-controlled airport, 06 May 2026. Copyright: Satellite Imagery 06 May 2026 © 2026 Vantor. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. Text: A UAV with dimensions not previously identified at RSF-controlled Nyala Airport is visible in satellite imagery collected on 06 May 2026. The observed UAV is consistent with a BZK-500E. UAV Measurements and Configuration: Wingspan: 18.8-19m Length (nose to tail): approx 10 m Horizontal tail/stabilizer: approx 4.5m Primary Wing Orientation : Tapered Straight Tail Orientation: Twin Boom Nose: Rounded
ALT Nyala Airport, South Darfur UAV with ~19-meter wingspan consistent with BZK-005E observed at RSF-controlled airport, 06 May 2026. Copyright: Satellite Imagery 06 May 2026 © 2026 Vantor. Open Source Photos cited from Hammer of War (@HammerOfWar5) “Video showing Chinese-made BZK-005E drones and their ground control stations of the Mauritanian” X, formerly known as Twitter, 19 June 2024. Available at https://x.com/hammerofwar5/status/1803487335629099025, archived at https://perma.cc/7873-2JH7. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. The images to the right show open source from a video montage allegedly of BZK-005E UAVs in Mauritania. The configuration of this UAV from Nyala appears consistent with the UAVs identified in this video. The UAVs in the video montage have a twin boom tail configuration, rounded nose, and primary wings with a tapered straight wing configuration.
ALT The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) identifies a UAV with an approximately 19-meter wingspan present at the airport of Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-controlled Nyala, South Darfur as of 6 May 2026. HRL concludes with high confidence that this UAV is consistent with a BZK-005 variant, likely the BZK-005E. HRL reviewed its assessment with external experts, including Janes who concurred on HRL’s assessment of a BZK-005 variant and specifically assessed this UAV as the “E” variant. Janes reported this event on 23 May 2026. The BZK-005 has at least three variants: the BZK-005, the C (combat), and the E (export). The BZK-005 variants are electronic intelligence (ELINT) -capable medium-altitude long-range (MALE) surveillance UAVs with a reported 150-370 kg payload; variants have been used in aerial and combined arms attacks. Full text: “Newly Identified BZK-005-Type Drone Identified at Nyala” at https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnood/publications/reports/
ALT Asosa, Ethiopa Copyright: Satellite Imagery 29 December 2025 © 2026 Planet Labs. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. New presence of light technical vehicles, vehicle trailers, & tents observed between 08 November-29 December 2025 Analysis of satellite imagery collected between 08 November and 29 December 2025 over an alleged ENDF Base on the outskirts of Asosa shows the new presence of approximately 120 light technical vehicles of varying colors of green or white and light beige. At least one military personnel transport vehicle is also identified. Also observed during this period is the new presence of at least 16 blue car carriers (vehicle transport trailers) and at least 5 tents measuring approximately 4.5x4.5 m in dimension. These light technical vehicles and vehicle trailers were not present in imagery analyzed 08 November 2025. Observed to the west are 10 fuel storage tanks previously established at the site.
ALT Asosa, Ethiopia Possible unmounted heavy machine guns, military transport vehicle, and light technical vehicles with possible mounts for weapons Copyright: Satellite Imagery 28 January, 18 February 2026 © 2026 Vantor Analysis of satellite imagery collected on both 28 January and 18 February over an alleged ENDF base in Asosa, Ethipoia, shows the presence of several elongated dark objects measuring approximately 1.6 m in length on both dates (yellow). The measurements and coloring are consistent with possible unmounted heavy machine guns intended for application to light technical vehicles. A military transport vehicle measuring approximately 7x3 m is observed in two different positions on between both dates (green). On 18 February 2026, with the arrival of approximately 200 light technical vehicles, the number and placement of dark objects fluctuates. The majority of light technical vehicles appear to have mounts or placements of possible machine guns on their beds (red).
ALT Asosa, Ethiopia Copyright: Satellite Imagery 9, 29 March 2026 © 2026 Planet Labs. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL Light technical vehicle and car carrier activity, and cargo trucks observed on 9 and 29 March 2026 Analysis of satellite imagery collected on 9 and 29 March 2026 shows a new presence of 25 light technical vehicles of varying color signatures at an alleged ENDF base in Asosa, Ethiopia. Also observed is the new presence of approximately 40 white/light-colored vehicles consistent with armored personnel carriers (APCs), measuring approximately 6.04x2.37 m in dimension. 8 white car carriers (vehicle trailers) are also newly observed at this location. Subsequent imagery collected again on 29 March, about 7 hours later, shows the light technical vehicles has increased to 35, and the possible APCs have decreased to 25. The number of car carriers in this image has increased by 1, and at least 2 car carriers are in different positions than previously observed 7 hours prior.
ALT Map of Asosa, Ethiopia to Kurmuk, Sudan along B-40 road. Map Data © OpenStreetMap Contributors, Microsoft, Esri Community Map Contributors, Map Layer by Esri. Analysis by Yale HRL. The map shows the location of the Asosa ENDF base and Asosa airport in Ethiopia in relation to the main road to Kurmuk, Sudan. The Asosa ENDF base is approximately 92 kilometers to Kurmuk, Sudan.
ALT Al Umda IDP camp, Tawila Thermal scarring and damage observed between 21-27 March 2026 Copyright: Satellite Imagery 21, 27 March 2026 © 2026 Vantor. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. Analysis of satellite imagery collected between 21 and 27 March 2026 shows damage resulting from spreading fire to several structures in the Al Umda IDP camp in Tawila. A fire event was detected by VIIRs at this location on 21 March 2026 at 11:04 UTC, after the baseline 21 March 2026 image was collected.
ALT Al Umda IDP camp, Tawila Thermal scarring and damage observed in satellite imagery collected between 09 February- 27 March 2026 Copyright: Satellite Imagery 09, 16 February, 27 March 2026 © 2026 Vantor. Analysis conducted by Yale HRL. Analysis of satellite imagery collected between 09 February and 27 March shows two separate but co-located instances of thermal scarring and damage to structures in Al Umda IDP camp in Tawila. The first observation of thermal scarring and damage is visible in satellite imagery collected between 09-16 February 2026, while the second observation is visible in satellite imagery collected between 21-27 March 2026.
