Nyala is witnessing an unprecedented breakdown of order as financial shortages and unexplained clashes unsettle a city long governed by intimidation. Residents speak of constant gunfire and explosions, a stark contrast to years when silence was the only survival strategy. What is new is not the violence itself, but who it is now directed at.

Militia fighters are publicly denouncing their leaders, accusing senior figures of stealing unpaid salaries and abandoning the wounded. Allegations that funds delivered from abroad were diverted have fueled anger and threats against top commanders, exposing deep mistrust within the ranks. Such accusations, voiced openly, suggest a loss of control rarely seen before.

Military observers argue that the militia’s grip—built on fear and financial incentives—is weakening. Retired Major General Salah Mohamed Khaled believes upcoming army movements will intensify the strain, forcing the militia to stretch its forces and supply lines. As pressure mounts on resources and leadership, Nyala may be revealing the early signs of a broader collapse in the militia’s governing model.