Escalation in port Sudan: drone strikes target key government and military sites

Port Sudan, once considered a safe refuge amidst Sudan’s devastating civil conflict, has witnessed a dramatic shift in recent days as drone attacks continue to strike vital infrastructure and military positions. These incidents mark a significant escalation in the nearly two-year war between Sudan’s military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the port city now becoming a frontline in the ongoing struggle for control.

On Tuesday morning, the third consecutive day of aerial assaults saw multiple explosions rock Port Sudan at dawn, alarming residents and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky. Eyewitnesses reported that one of the drones hit the civilian sector of the city’s international airport. Just days earlier, the same location had seen its military section targeted. This latest attack led to a full suspension of all flights, cutting off what has been a crucial gateway for humanitarian aid and limited civilian travel.

Further attacks were reported at an army base situated in the city center, close to the residence of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s military leader. A hotel near the base was also reportedly damaged in the strike. These attacks underscore the RSF’s growing reliance on drone warfare as it attempts to penetrate deeper into army-controlled territories.

In another disturbing development, a fuel depot located near the southern part of the port was hit, igniting a large fire and endangering a densely populated area that houses not only displaced civilians but also several offices of international aid agencies and the United Nations. The site is one of Sudan’s principal fuel reserves, and the destruction there threatens to deepen the already critical shortages of essential supplies.

Military bases in northern Port Sudan responded with anti-aircraft fire as the drone assaults unfolded. The RSF, weakened after losing much of its hold over the capital Khartoum in March, has shifted its strategy towards high-impact strikes on infrastructure. These attacks have already caused power outages and disrupted services for millions across the northeastern regions still under military control.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern about the unfolding situation. In a statement released on Monday, he described the recent attacks as a serious threat to civilian safety and ongoing humanitarian efforts. Port Sudan serves as a lifeline for much of the country, with nearly all foreign aid shipments passing through its port facilities before being distributed throughout the nation.

Sudan is in the grip of one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. With famine already taking hold in several regions, an estimated 25 million people are currently facing extreme food insecurity. Since the outbreak of the conflict in April 2023 between the army and RSF, tens of thousands have died, and more than 13 million people have been displaced from their homes.

The RSF’s expanding drone campaign is not only a tactical shift but also a geopolitical concern. Experts suggest the group has access to both improvised and sophisticated drones, some of which the Sudanese military alleges were provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This allegation has added an international dimension to the war, further complicating peace efforts.

On Monday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed a legal case Sudan had filed against the UAE. The case accused the Emirati government of enabling acts of genocide by supporting the RSF. The ICJ ruled it had no jurisdiction, citing the UAE’s 2005 reservation on the UN Genocide Convention. In response, Sudan’s foreign ministry issued a statement respecting the court’s decision, though it did not indicate whether the government would pursue the matter through other channels.

As the conflict rages on, the targeting of Port Sudan represents a troubling turn. What was once a sanctuary for those fleeing violence has now become a battleground. The strikes on civilian and military infrastructure alike are likely to aggravate the humanitarian crisis further and challenge any prospects for diplomatic resolution. With both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the future of Port Sudan, and indeed the nation, remains precarious.