Drone strikes escalate conflict in Port Sudan

Drone strikes on Port Sudan have intensified the conflict, damaging key infrastructure, disrupting aid operations, and compounding Sudan’s humanitarian challenges.

Port Sudan, a critical hub for foreign aid and government operations, has come under sustained drone attacks, causing significant destruction. The strikes have damaged the country’s largest fuel depot, a power substation, and other infrastructure, leaving the city without electricity and jeopardizing vital aid delivery.

The attacks, which began on Sunday, targeted strategic locations, including a military base near the city’s international airport and areas close to the residence of Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. While military sources attributed the strikes to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the group has not claimed responsibility.

Port Sudan had been a stable base since the civil war erupted in April 2023, hosting U.N. agencies, diplomats, and displaced populations. The recent strikes threaten to disrupt humanitarian operations and fuel supplies nationwide.

The escalation comes after the Sudanese army drove the RSF back from central Sudan, forcing the group to adopt drone warfare tactics. In response, the army continues its airstrikes in Darfur, where the RSF holds significant ground.

The strikes have drawn condemnation from international actors, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations. Accusations of external support for the RSF remain contentious, with some pointing to alleged backing from the UAE, which denies involvement.

As the conflict persists, over 12 million people remain displaced, and half the population faces acute hunger. The deepening crisis highlights the urgent need for a resolution to Sudan’s ongoing war.

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