Escalating Drone Attacks Rock Port Sudan Amid Ongoing Civil Conflict

Following a series of violent drone strikes on Port Sudan's civilian infrastructure, the city is rapidly becoming a new battleground in Sudan's prolonged civil conflict. Thousands of displaced individuals are now caught in the crossfire as hostilities escalate.

Explosions reverberated through the Sudanese city of Port Sudan as paramilitary forces intensified their attacks, targeting the heart of the military-led government's power structure for the third straight day. Thick plumes of black smoke engulfed the skyline, marking a grim reality for countless individuals who have sought refuge here over the past two years of civil war.

Reports indicate that the ongoing strikes have resulted in the cancellation of flights at the only functional international airport in the region, following hits from drones that struck both the airport and a nearby hotel elements close to the current presidential palace. "It looks quite apocalyptic," articulated journalist Cristina Karrer to the BBC as she reported witnessing extraordinary destruction.

The chaos, marked by a significant drone attack on the civilian section of the Port Sudan airport alongside an assault on the main army base, struck fear among residents. A further attack targeted a fuel depot situated in the heart of the densely populated city, previously deemed a haven for UN officials, diplomats, and various aid agencies that had relocated from the besieged capital, Khartoum.

Military officials have attributed the bombings to the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), although the RSF has not yet issued a comment regarding the claims. Prior to these events, Port Sudan had managed to remain largely untouched by the ongoing conflict, holding the distinction of being one of the last safe havens in a country torn apart by violence.

The RSF's increased utilization of drone warfare marks a pivot in their strategy as they aim to reclaim territories previously lost to the military, including key areas in Khartoum, which were overtaken by the national army back in March.

Years of confrontation between the Sudanese army and RSF forces have resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions, plunging the nation into a humanitarian catastrophe. Both entities have faced allegations of war crimes, further exacerbating the dire situation in the already beleaguered country.