Sudan Crisis Deepens as Paramilitary Launches Drone Strikes on Strategic Sites in Port Sudan
In a dangerous escalation of Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, paramilitary forces belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly launched drone strikes on key military and civilian targets in Port Sudan, officials confirmed on Monday. This marks a troubling expansion of RSF’s operational capabilities and signals a new phase in the battle for control of the strategically vital Red Sea city.
According to multiple local and international sources, the drone assaults targeted infrastructure and security outposts affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which have been holding control of Port Sudan since the civil war erupted in April 2023. The attacks caused significant damage, though casualty figures remain unverified.
The RSF’s use of drone warfare highlights their increasing access to sophisticated weaponry, raising serious concerns among regional observers and the international community. Port Sudan has long been considered a refuge for internally displaced civilians and a critical logistics hub due to its access to the Red Sea. Until recently, it had remained relatively untouched compared to other conflict-ravaged cities like Khartoum and Darfur.
Security analysts suggest this latest offensive may be part of a broader RSF strategy to challenge the SAF’s stronghold on Sudan’s eastern corridor. The strikes could destabilize one of the last functioning government zones, which has become a temporary administrative center for Sudan’s military-led government after the fall of Khartoum.
Eyewitnesses in Port Sudan described scenes of panic following the drone attacks, with smoke rising from impacted buildings and families fleeing potentially targeted zones. Local authorities have urged residents to remain indoors while emergency response units assess the damage and secure the city.
This shift to aerial warfare signals a dramatic intensification in tactics, as drone strikes in civilian-populated areas could escalate humanitarian risks. International agencies have already warned of worsening conditions, with over 8 million people displaced and widespread food and medical shortages across Sudan.
The United Nations and African Union have condemned the drone attacks and called for immediate de-escalation, urging both parties to return to peace negotiations. However, with both sides deeply entrenched and foreign weapons reportedly flowing into the conflict, prospects for a ceasefire remain uncertain.
As the conflict rages on, experts caution that drone warfare could become a recurring tactic in Sudan’s urban battlegrounds, further complicating any potential resolution.
Source : Swifteradio.com
