In brief
Port Sudan, previously seen as a refuge from ongoing conflict, has faced intense drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces, raising concerns over civilian safety and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Large plumes of smoke filled the skies of Port Sudan on Tuesday as a series of drone strikes marked the continuation of violence in Sudan's civil war. After remaining relatively untouched during the conflict, Port Sudan, the country's de facto wartime capital and a sanctuary for civilians fleeing violence, saw attacks targeting critical civilian infrastructure, including a fuel depot and the nearby airport.Eyewitnesses reported that the attacks were orchestrated by the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), which for the past three days has escalated its assault on the city. The strikes not only rattled the community, which had become a refuge for many but also served as a stark reminder of the relentless nature of the ongoing conflict.Khalid Ali Aleisir, Sudan’s minister of information, condemned the strikes, labeling them "criminal and terrorist attacks" in social media posts. He reassured the public that security forces were working diligently to protect civilians. Images shared by Aleisir showed smoke billowing from areas targeted by the drones, contributing to the growing sense of fear among residents.Among the targeted sites was the Marina Hotel, reportedly housing diplomats, indicating the potential for broader ramifications for international relations in the region. Despite the ferocity of the attacks, there were no immediate reports of casualties, and the R.S.F. has yet to claim responsibility for the drone strikes.The escalation of hostilities comes during a time when forced displacement has reached alarming levels; an estimated 13 million people have been uprooted due to the conflict, which has already claimed around 15,000 lives. Mohamed Ahmed, a resident of Port Sudan who fled Khartoum earlier in the war, expressed his frustration and hopelessness, fearing further displacement as violence encroaches on his new home.In response to the increased conflict, aid groups have struggled to provide assistance to the millions affected by the war, often using Port Sudan as a logistical hub for delivering humanitarian relief. The situation has drawn condemnation from regional organizations, including the African Union, which highlighted how such violence threatens the lives of civilians and overall stability in the region.The subsequent drone attacks signal a dangerous uptick in aggression from the R.S.F., pushing the situation in Sudan towards an even more precarious state where the safety of civilians remains at paramount risk.
