Port Sudan was plunged into complete darkness on Tuesday following a series of drone strikes by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which targeted key infrastructure in the city, including a major power station. The strikes mark a dangerous escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, as the paramilitary group intensifies its offensive on what had long been considered a safe haven in the conflict-ravaged country.
The Sudanese national electricity authority confirmed to the BBC that the power outage affected the entire eastern city, following the drone strike on the power station. “There is a complete power outage across Port Sudan as a result of the attack,” the spokesperson said.
Escalation in Attacks
The RSF’s attack on Port Sudan comes just days after the group initiated strikes on the city over the weekend. On Tuesday alone, drones hit several critical sites: one targeted the civilian section of Port Sudan’s international airport, forcing authorities to cancel all commercial flights; another drone struck an army base in the city center; and a third hit a fuel depot near the port, raising fears of a prolonged energy crisis.
Witnesses also reported that a hotel situated near the residence of Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was hit in the onslaught. Although damage was reported, no casualties have been confirmed at this time.
Minister Accuses UAE of Backing RSF
Sudan’s Information Minister, Khalid Aleiser, visited the southern section of the port in the wake of the strikes. Speaking to journalists at the site of a damaged fuel tank, Aleiser accused the United Arab Emirates of providing military support to the RSF.
“This reckless assault is not just the RSF’s doing—it’s being fueled by foreign hands,” Aleiser said. “The United Arab Emirates is arming the RSF, and the international community must hold them accountable.”
The UAE has denied the allegations, issuing a statement condemning the attacks and reaffirming its call for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan.
A City Under Siege
Port Sudan had remained relatively untouched in the brutal two-year war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The city became a haven for hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people and emerged as the de facto administrative capital of the army-aligned government after the RSF seized large parts of Khartoum in 2023.
But this sense of safety has rapidly evaporated. On Sunday, the RSF launched its first drone strikes on Port Sudan, targeting the military section of the airport. On Monday, drone attacks hit fuel storage facilities. Tuesday’s strikes have only deepened fears that Port Sudan is now a primary target in the RSF’s latest campaign.
Military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the SAF holds the RSF responsible for all recent attacks, though the RSF has not issued any public statements acknowledging or denying its involvement.
Humanitarian Impact and UN Response
The United Nations responded to the deteriorating security situation by suspending all humanitarian air services in and out of Port Sudan. However, aid delivery operations on the ground remain active for the time being.
“None of our offices, premises, or warehouses have been impacted,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We continue to carry out our regular operations, but the situation is fluid and under close monitoring.”
The renewed violence threatens to severely worsen the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Over eight million people have been displaced since the conflict erupted, and Port Sudan had served as a critical hub for aid distribution.
Human rights groups warn that continued strikes on essential infrastructure, including energy supplies and transportation, could create catastrophic conditions for civilians trapped in the city or fleeing from nearby regions.
Shifting Tactics in a Prolonged War
The ongoing war between the RSF and SAF began in April 2023, when power-sharing negotiations between the two sides collapsed. Initially focused on direct confrontations and urban warfare—particularly in Khartoum—the conflict has since evolved.
According to analysts, the RSF has increasingly turned to drone warfare after suffering major losses in central Sudan. “What we’re seeing is a shift from territory control to high-impact, strategic sabotage,” said Sudanese political analyst Amira El-Zein. “The RSF can no longer hold cities like they once did, so they’re focusing on disrupting the government’s strongholds.”
This transformation in the RSF’s tactics has raised alarm among international observers. While the use of drones in warfare is not new, their deployment in densely populated urban zones like Port Sudan poses a grave risk to civilian lives and infrastructure.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
International reactions have been swift but cautious. The African Union called for “immediate restraint” and urged all sides to return to peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the United Nations has renewed calls for an arms embargo and increased humanitarian access to conflict zones.
The United States, United Kingdom, and several European nations have issued statements condemning the violence but have stopped short of imposing new sanctions. Talks facilitated by the African Union and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) have stalled in recent months.
The Road Ahead
With Port Sudan now under attack for the third consecutive day, fears are growing that the conflict could spiral further out of control. Once considered a symbol of relative peace amidst chaos, the city is now on the frontlines.
“The fall of Port Sudan would be symbolic and strategic,” said El-Zein. “It would show that no part of Sudan is safe anymore.”
As of now, the army retains control of the city, but the continued use of drones by the RSF suggests that Sudan’s war is entering a more dangerous phase—one where even cities far from the original battlefield are no longer immune from violence.
