In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) recently launched a drone attack on Port Sudan, targeting a military airport. This marks the first time in the two-year civil conflict that RSF strikes have reached this strategic city, which serves as the de facto capital for Sudan’s military-led government. The attack occurred on Sunday and involved several “suicide drones” directed at the Osman Digna Air Base, reportedly resulting in limited damage but fortunately no casualties, according to Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah.
The RSF’s foray into Port Sudan indicates an alarming shift in the dynamics of the conflict, as Sudan has been engulfed in violence since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023. This civil war began as a result of intense power struggles between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group that emerged with significant influence in the wake of the country’s political upheaval. The ongoing conflict has had devastating humanitarian implications, with at least 150,000 estimated fatalities and approximately 12 million people displaced from their homes. The United Nations has classified the situation in Sudan as the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 30 million people in urgent need of assistance amidst widespread famine and food shortages.
Prior to the recent drone attack, Port Sudan was considered a comparatively safe haven within the war-torn nation, attracting a substantial influx of civilians seeking refuge from violence in other regions, particularly from the recent upheaval in the capital, Khartoum. Following the SAF’s loss of control over Khartoum early in the war, Port Sudan effectively became the operational hub for the military-backed government led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s armed forces and functionally, the nation’s president. It was also home to numerous international agencies that relocated their offices there to continue their humanitarian efforts.
Eyewitness accounts from travelers at the airport during the attack describe a chaotic evacuation as explosions rocked the area, with videos circulating on social media depicting clouds of black smoke rising into the sky. Reports confirmed that the airport has since been closed, with all flights suspended and operations halted in the wake of the assault.
As the conflict intensifies, both the RSF and the SAF hold sway over different regions of Sudan, leading to a fragmented political landscape. The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, maintains control over the greater Darfur region and parts of southern Sudan, while the military’s influence extends over eastern and northern Sudan, including crucial coastal facilities.
The RSF’s drone strikes are part of a broader strategy aimed at destabilizing military-held territories. Only a day prior to the Port Sudan incident, an army source reported an RSF drone assault on Kassala, located some 400 kilometers from the nearest RSF stronghold. In recent months, the SAF has seen some territorial gains, including reclaiming the presidential palace in Khartoum. However, experts predict neither side can achieve a decisive victory that might lead to effective governance over the entirety of Sudan, signaling an enduring cycle of conflict.
This is Sudan’s third civil war in seven decades, yet it is seen as the most devastating, deepening societal fractures and complicating efforts to establish a civilian government following the 2021 coup that saw a council of generals take power, with both al-Burhan and Hemedti at the helm. Their discord over vital political transitions, particularly regarding the integration of the RSF into the regular army, ignited the current strife. Despite numerous international attempts to mediate a resolution, the conflict continues unabated, fueled by foreign backing of both factions and the inflow of armaments into the region. The ongoing hostilities reflect a grim reality for millions of Sudanese, trapping them in a cycle of violence and displacement.
