Paramilitary Assault on Port Sudan Signals Escalating Conflict

The paramilitary group RSF struck the Osman Digna Air Base in Port Sudan with drones, marking a significant escalation in the two-year conflict that has led to widespread humanitarian crises across the nation.

On Sunday, a drone attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the Osman Digna Air Base in Port Sudan, according to the Sudanese military, marking the first instance of RSF assaults reaching this city during the ongoing civil war. RSF's drone strike reportedly aimed at military facilities including a goods warehouse and other civilian structures, although no casualties were initially reported, with damage being described as "limited" by army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah.

This sudden attack comes amidst an ongoing conflict that began in April 2023, triggered by infighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF as tensions flared over a planned transition to civilian governance. The conflict has proved devastating, with estimates showing over 150,000 fatalities and around 12 million individuals displaced from their homes. The United Nations has categorized the situation in Sudan as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 30 million people in dire need of assistance, grappling with severe food shortages and potential famine conditions.

Previously, Port Sudan had remained largely unscathed during the violence, positioning itself as a safe haven amidst a war-torn Sudan. Following the fall of Khartoum’s control to the SAF at the war's onset, Port Sudan has served as the effective base of operations for the military-led government under General Abdel Fattah-al Burhan. This circumstance has seen UN agencies relocating to the coastal city, further cementing its role as a sanctuary for displaced civilians fleeing the strife.

Eyewitness accounts reflected a chaotic scene as travelers were abruptly evacuated during the attack, with social media footage allegedly depicting the explosion and billowing smoke. Following the drone strike, the airport was closed, and all flights were suspended, complicating both civilian life and logistical operations in the region further.

The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, has expanded its control primarily over Darfur and parts of southern Sudan. Conversely, the military-backed government holds power over eastern and northern regions, especially vital Red Sea cities like Port Sudan.

Sunday’s drone attack adds to a series of assaults by the RSF targeting military and civilian infrastructure in areas governed by the SAF. Just a day prior, RSF had reportedly targeted Kassala, situated 250 miles from RSF-held territories. In recent months, the SAF has reclaimed significant territories, including the presidential palace in Khartoum, seen as a pivotal moment in the civil war, yet experts maintain that neither party appears likely to emerge victorious enough to govern the entirety of Sudan.

This ongoing unrest represents Sudan's third major civil war within 70 years, manifesting as the most destructive to date, exacerbating deep-rooted divisions within Sudanese society. Following a 2021 coup, military leaders, including Al-Burhan and Hemedti, have clashed over governance directions, particularly regarding the proposed integration of the RSF into the national army. As international peace negotiations falter amid rising tensions, both factions remain bolstered by foreign powers supplying weapons, a dangerous development for the already volatile region.