Sudan's capital, Port Sudan, experiences aerial bombings by RSF drones, potentially jeopardizing humanitarian support efforts.
Unbridled Chaos in Sudan: Fourth Straight Day of Drone Attacks on Port Sudan
In an alarming turn of events, another round of drone strikes rocked Port Sudan on Wednesday, according to an anonymous army source. This marks the fourth consecutive day the strategic city, serving as the government's stronghold, has been under relentless attack.
These airborne assailants were met with a barrage of anti-aircraft missiles, the source disclosed, while a series of explosions echoed across the city, near the Flamingo base, just north of Port Sudan—Sudan's largest naval base in the war-torn capital. A cloud of smoke soon enveloped the city, painting a bleak picture.
The ongoing power struggle between Sudan's regular armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shows no signs of abating. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, it has claimed the lives of tens of thousands and displaced millions, with no end in sight.
Port Sudan, situated on the Red Sea coast, served as a sanctuary for civilians amidst the turmoil, hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals and numerous UN offices. However, this refuge was shattered when the first wave of drone attacks struck the city this week, attributed to the RSF.
A Shift in Tactics
Drones hounded Port Sudan throughout Tuesday, raining down on the primary port, the city's power station, and the country's last functioning international airport. Witnesses also reported hearing explosions from anti-aircraft missiles west of the city, which itself has endured multiple attacks this week.
Port Sudan was seized by the army-aligned government after the RSF overran much of the capital Khartoum at the onset of the conflict. With this latest offensive, the RSF appears to have opened a new front, targeting the army's main stronghold in eastern Sudan after being pushed westwards across central Sudan, including Khartoum, in March.
A Testy Relationship with the UAE
The escalating violence comes a day after Sudan severed ties with the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of providing weapons used by the RSF to attack Port Sudan, deeming the Gulf country an "aggressor" state. The UAE has long denied supporting the RSF, despite accusations from UN experts, US politicians, and international organizations.
Sudan's army continues to accuse the UAE of supplying both makeshift and highly advanced drones to the RSF. Sudan's army-aligned information minister, Khalid al-Aiser, on Tuesday reiterated these allegations, highlighting the UAE's continued support for its "proxy" the RSF.
The International Court of Justice dismissed a case brought by Sudan against the UAE last Monday, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Sudan's army-aligned foreign ministry "respected" the ruling, acknowledging that it did not dispute the violations.
Humanitarian Concerns
The sustained drone strikes on Port Sudan have triggered fears of disruptions to aid distribution across Sudan, where famine has been declared in some areas, and nearly 25 million people confront dire food insecurity. Just last week, Port Sudan offered a haven for artists, providing a breeding ground for musicians, actors, directors, and more, as Mohammed Hassan, from the Al Shourta School, next to Port Sudan's central market, recounted to our website's special reporter.
The city's status as a hub for humanitarian operations has not gone unnoticed. UN relief chief Tom Fletcher expressed grave concerns about the ongoing drone strikes on Port Sudan, labeling it a key entry point for aid. The United Nations has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the port city, which serves as a lifeline for humanitarian operations, as well as warning of escalating human suffering in what is already the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
The United States, along with Spain, has issued strong condemnations of the attacks, citing them as a violation of international law and a threat to peace efforts, respectively. The conflict has effectively divided Sudan, with the army controlling the center, north, and east, while the RSF holds nearly all of Darfur in the west and parts of the south.
- Amidst the fourth consecutive day of drone attacks on Port Sudan, international concerns about the escalating chaos in Sudan have intensified.
- The United Nations, observing Port Sudan as a critical lifeline for humanitarian operations in Africa, has voiced grave worries over the drone strikes that threaten aid distribution.
- The United States, along with Spain, has strongly condemned the drone attacks, labeling them as violations of international law and threats to peace efforts.
- In the wake of Sudan severing ties with the United Arab Emirates, accusations persist that the UAE provides the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with advanced drones, a claim both nations fiercely deny.
- The African continent, already grappling with a colossal humanitarian crisis, faces the potential for further disaster as the drone attacks on Port Sudan continue, potentially disrupting finances, trade, and the aerospace industry.
- Darfur, a region in the west of Sudan currently under the control of the RSF, witnesses the larger-scale impact of the conflict, which has been constraining the movement of people and supplies, exacerbating Africa's ongoing crises.
- As the power struggle between Sudan's regular armed forces and the paramilitary RSF persists, the international community tries to navigate diplomatic channels to prevent further escalation, with justice for the thousands of lives lost in Sudan becoming an increasingly crucial issue.
