Aerial assaults by drones persist in Port Sudan, marking the third consecutive day of such attacks.
Unrest Strikes Port Sudan as Drone Attacks Take Aim
Step foot in Port Sudan, a coastal city now rattled by three straight days of aerial dangers. The Sudanese army-aligned government's seat of power has fallen prey to relentless attacks from unseen assailants - drones.
Yesterday's strike ravaged the country's main fuel depot, igniting a blaze just south of the city that until Sunday had remained a safe haven for the displaced. The day before, the airport's civilian sector suffered a similar fate, with another drone's strike halting all flights. As of now, there are no reports of casualties.
}_{According to experts, the increased usage of drones by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following the loss of Khartoum serves to announce its presence and hinder the army's supply line.}
This morning, Port Sudan rang with the unmistakable sound of explosions. The RSF, a paramilitary group deeply involved in Sudan's ongoing conflict with the government, is thought to be the culprit. This relatively tranquil region, known as one of the safest in the country, has been thrust into the heart of the escalating conflict.
The main army base and a nearby hotel in the city center were targeted by drones. Witnesses also reported that a fuel depot near the southern port in the densely populated city center was hit. Moreover, anti-aircraft fire came from a military base in the city's north.
The army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has faced relentless attacks since declaring war with his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the RSF, in April 2023. Both sites targeted are close to his residence.
The UN center in Port Sudan has become a crucial hub for humanitarian aid, with nearly all aid entering Sudan arriving here. The conflict in the country has led to famine and dire food insecurity for nearly 25 million people. A traveller reported fires breaking out at the airport following an explosion, while the paramilitary has been attacking civilian infrastructure across the army-controlled north-east, causing widespread blackouts.
The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF has caused devastation across the country, killing tens of thousands, uprooting 13 million, and creating the largest hunger and displacement crises globally. It has also divided Sudan, with the army controlling the center, north, and east while the RSF holds nearly all of Darfur and, with its allies, parts of the south.
The International Court of Justice recently dismissed a case filed by Sudan against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which accused it of complicity in genocide by supporting the RSF. Sudan's army-aligned foreign ministry respected the ruling but emphasized that the court's refusal to hear the case does not absolve the UAE from its involvement in genocide.
Amidst the worsening conflict and growing humanitarian crisis, Egypt, Sudan's neighbor, has expressed concern over the escalating violence. Egypt has warned of the potential impact on ceasefire efforts, protection of civilians, and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need in the war-torn country.
Following the drone attacks on the airport and main fuel depot in Port Sudan, the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is suspected of launching further attacks on key targets, including the army base and a hotel in the city center. Yesterday's strike on the fuel depot, near the southern port in a densely populated area, has created a dangerous escalation in the conflict, causing fires at the airport and widespread blackouts.
The political unrest in Sudan has worsened with ongoing violence between the Sudanese army and the RSF, resulting in the displacement of millions and causing the largest hunger and displacement crises globally. The International Court of Justice recently dismissed a case filed by Sudan against the United Arab Emirates, with the army-aligned foreign ministry respecting the ruling but emphasizing the UAE's potential involvement in genocide. The unfolding conflict and humanitarian crisis have raised concerns among neighboring countries like Egypt, which fears the impact on the delivery of humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians in the area.
With the unrest in Port Sudan, the crucial UN center for humanitarian aid has become even more vital, as nearly all aid entering Sudan arrives here. The conflict has caused widespread hardship for nearly 25 million people in Sudan, making it a significant political and general news issue. The alarming escalation of drone attacks suggests that the conflict might be entering a new, more dangerous stage, putting the lives of the displaced and the civilian population at further risk.
