10 May, Port Sudan
Port Sudan has been hit by drone strikes for six straight days amid escalating conflict between the army and the RSF.
Port Sudan, an important humanitarian hub and the de facto capital of Sudan, has experienced various drone attacks for six straight days, an increase in the current civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (the SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (the RSF).
The RSF began conducting and escalating its drone campaign, targeting specific infrastructure elements and preventing aid to the people who need it.
The RSF has conducted several drone strikes on Port Sudan. As of May 4, the RSF claimed responsibility for strikes on critical infrastructure sites, including the Osman Digna Airbase, the fuel depots, the Port Sudan New International Airport, and a hotel in proximity to the temporary presidential palace.
These attacks have generated significant damage and resulted in epic fires, a power outage covering the entire city, and the cancellation of all flights to and from the city.
The United Nations expressed strong concern about the dangers of drone strikes on efforts in the humanitarian response. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said the drone strikes are “choking the delivery of relief and the movement of personnel (to facilitate delivery).”
The World Food Programme has halted its United Nations Humanitarian Air Service in Port Sudan until conditions are safe.
As a result of the increased attacks, the Sudanese government has broken diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it and nurturing the RSF, a claim that the UAE denies. The attacks have been condemned by the international community, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UN, which all called for an immediate ceasefire.
Since the start of the conflict in April of 2023, there have been more than 24,000 deaths and nearly 13 million people displaced from their homes and communities. The recent drone strikes on Port Sudan have taken this conflict into a more serious and dangerous phase. The attacks threaten to destabilize the country further and also pose imminent consequences for the humanitarian crisis and displacement running rampant through Sudan.
Given the continued deterioration, the UN and humanitarian agencies are calling on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, and to ensure the protection of civilians and critical civilian infrastructure.
As well, the international community must also be urged to redouble diplomatic efforts to alleviate the conflict and enable critical humanitarian assistance.
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