Port Sudan Under Attack: Paramilitary Drone Strike Signals Escalation of Conflict

In a grave turn of events, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have attacked Port Sudan, marking a significant development in the two-year civil war, with reports of drone strikes targeting key military and civilian infrastructures.

A drone assault attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has shaken Port Sudan, targeting the Osman Digna Air Base and other civilian areas on Sunday. This incident marks a pivotal moment as it is the first reported attack on Port Sudan since the onset of a brutal civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) two years ago.

According to Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah, multiple “suicide drones” were employed in the strike. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported, but the attack has resulted in "limited damage". The RSF has yet to release a statement regarding the incident.

Sudan's conflict ignited in April 2023 due to intense power struggles between the SAF and the RSF, which have steeped the nation into turmoil. The horrific fallout has left an estimated 150,000 dead and has compelled around 12 million to flee their homes. The United Nations has referred to this crisis as the world's largest humanitarian disaster, with over 30 million people in desperate need of assistance and many facing severe food shortages.

Prior to the drone strikes, Port Sudan was viewed as a safe haven amid the widespread violence, serving as a refuge for countless displaced civilians and a base for the military-led government led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Following the SAF losing control of the capital, Khartoum, Port Sudan emerged as the de facto administrative center.

Witness accounts from the airport indicate a hurried evacuation process as strikes occurred, with video evidence showing explosions and billowing smoke. In the aftermath, the airport has ceased operations, and all flights have been suspended.

The civil war has divided Sudan into varying zones of control, with RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), dominating the Darfur region. The ongoing drone attacks signify a worrisome trend as tensions mount further between the two factions. A recent strike on Kassala also highlights the RSF's growing capability to operate within army-controlled territories.

In a conflicting landscape, the SAF has regained considerable ground, spotlighting a precarious moment as they control key areas including the capital, Khartoum. Despite recent military successes, experts warn that neither party is positioned to consolidate effective governance over Sudan.

This ongoing civil conflict, now regarded as the most devastating in Sudan’s history, follows a coup in 2021 that led to a council of generals ruling the country, resulting in dangerous divisions mainly between al-Burhan and Hemedti. Escalating tensions arose as both factions approached a deadline for establishing a civilian government. International mediation efforts have faltered, and external powers continue to support both sides with weaponry.

The humanitarian situation in the nation remains dire, as organizations from the UN and other agencies grapple with the fallout from this unprecedented conflict, leaving communities shattered, and many faced with hunger and insecurity.