2025-05-06T07:13:21Z

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In a striking escalation of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, multiple drone attacks targeted key locations in Port Sudan, a city that had previously managed to evade the worst of the violence that has engulfed the nation. According to eyewitness accounts relayed to the AFP news agency, one drone struck the civilian section of Port Sudan airport, while another targeted the main army base located in the city center. The assaults are indicative of a troubling intensification of hostilities as the civil war continues to devastate the country.

Additionally, a third drone strike hit a fuel depot situated near the southern port, an area bustling with activity and home to various UN officials, diplomats, and aid agencies. These entities had relocated to Port Sudan from the capital, Khartoum, seeking refuge from the persistent violence there. The attacks have raised alarms among humanitarian organizations, which are deeply concerned about the implications for civilian safety and access to vital resources.

Witnesses also reported that a prominent hotel, located in close proximity to the residence of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was struck during the drone strikes. This hotel has often served as a hub for international visitors and officials, further highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks.

The Sudanese military has placed the blame for these drone assaults squarely on the shoulders of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This organization has not yet issued a statement in response to the allegations or the attacks. The military's accusations come in the wake of escalating tensions that began on Sunday, marking a new and concerning chapter in the protracted conflict.

In a statement, the African Union expressed grave concern over the drone attacks, characterizing them as “a dangerous escalation” in the civil war that has plagued Sudan for over two years. The AU further warned that such actions pose a “direct threat to the lives of civilians, humanitarian access, and regional stability.” This underscores the precarious situation that many civilians find themselves in as conflict continues to disrupt everyday life.

Prior to these recent attacks, Port Sudan was considered one of the safer locations in a nation that has been ravaged by war, providing a rare haven amid the chaos. The RSF, seeking to regain control of territories lost in previous confrontations, has increasingly turned to drone technology as a means to assert its power and influence. This shift in strategy gained prominence after the army retook Khartoum in March, further complicating the already dire situation.

The civil war between the Sudanese army and the RSF has resulted in a staggering toll: thousands of lives lost, millions displaced from their homes, and the emergence of what many organizations have described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Reports of war crimes have been leveled against both the army and the RSF, highlighting the severe human rights violations occurring amidst the conflict.

As the international community continues to monitor the situation in Sudan, the recent drone attacks serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by civilians and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and intervention.