Sudan Paramilitary Attacks: Increasing Drone Strikes in Port Sudan
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Rising Tensions in Port Sudan

Sudanese paramilitaries launched a significant attack on Port Sudan, situated along the Red Sea coast, this past Sunday. This incident, reported by the army, represents the first direct strike on the government’s military stronghold during the ongoing two-year conflict in the country. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) specifically targeted key locations such as Osman Digna Air Base, a local goods warehouse, and several civilian facilities within Port Sudan using suicide drones, according to army spokesman Nabil Abdullah.

Despite the alarming nature of the attack, Abdullah mentioned that there were no reported casualties, though he acknowledged some limited damage. Eyewitnesses reported smoke rising from the vicinity of Port Sudan’s airport, marking a dramatic escalation in hostilities in an area previously seen as a safer haven amidst the turmoil.

Escalating Drone Warfare

This assault on Port Sudan signifies a troubling trend, as the RSF has intensified its drone strikes on army-held territories following their retreat from regions, including the capital, Khartoum, back in March. The increased frequency and scope of these aerial attacks indicate a bold shift in the RSF’s military strategy.

On the previous day, a striking drone attack also took place in Kassala, which lies approximately 400 kilometers from the nearest territory controlled by the RSF on Sudan’s eastern border with Eritrea. This marks a significant development, as Kassala had yet to experience the violence linked to the ongoing conflict.

A Shift to Port Sudan

The government setup has been in flux since the onset of conflict, relocating from Khartoum to Port Sudan, which had so far managed to avoid the violent clashes plaguing other regions. However, the recent attacks jeopardize the relative safety of Port Sudan, an area where numerous UN agencies have relocated their offices and personnel, providing shelter for hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals fleeing the violence.

The ongoing battle between the regular army, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has intensified since April 2023. This brutal conflict has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and led to the displacement of about 13 million people, fragmenting what was once Africa’s third-largest nation.

Fragmented State of Sudan

The power dynamics in Sudan have shifted dramatically, with the regular army maintaining control over central, eastern, and northern regions. Conversely, the RSF has gained significant ground in the western Darfur region and parts of southern Sudan, highlighting a stark geographical division.

Notably, in late February, the RSF made headlines by signing a charter in Kenya with its affiliates, declaring intentions to form a competing government to challenge the authority of the army-aligned administration. As the conflict continues to evolve, the implications for the people of Sudan remain dire.

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