Port Sudan: The Sudanese army has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of launching a drone attack on military and civilian facilities near Port Sudan Airport. According to army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah, the RSF used suicide drones to strike Osman Digna Air Base, a goods warehouse, and nearby infrastructure.
The attack marks the first strike in Port Sudan, a city in eastern Sudan that has remained relatively calm compared to other parts of the country engulfed in conflict since April 2023.
“There has been damage to an ammunition depot,” said the army in its official statement. No casualties have been reported so far. The RSF has not issued a comment on the incident.
Sudanese media and residents reported loud explosions and plumes of smoke near the airport. Flights to and from the Port Sudan airport have been suspended until further notice, according to a government source speaking to AFP.
Read: Missile from Yemen Hits Ben Gurion Airport Perimeter
Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, explained that the military and civilian airports in Port Sudan share the same area. “It is unclear whether the RSF targeted military planes, civilian aircraft, or both,” she said.
Port Sudan has served as the main entry point into the country since the conflict erupted between the army and the RSF in April last year. Government officials, foreign diplomats, and humanitarian groups have used the airport as a key operational base.
The air attack disrupted not only military activities but also commercial travel. A Sudanese passenger plane flying from Dubai was forced to divert to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data from Flightradar24 showed the plane circling over the Red Sea before heading back to King Abdulaziz International Airport for an emergency landing.
“We were heading toward the boarding gate when we were suddenly evacuated,” said a passenger speaking to AFP. “Security forces moved everyone out of the terminal quickly.”
The RSF’s drone assault reflects a new phase in the ongoing war, with both sides turning to advanced technology and targeting strategic infrastructure. Military analysts say Port Sudan, as a hub for logistics and diplomacy, represents a valuable target for the RSF in its broader offensive against the army.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has devastated much of the country. Thousands have died, and millions have been displaced in a struggle that has paralyzed national institutions and stalled peace talks.
Today’s drone strike signals that the violence is now spreading to areas that were previously stable. It raises concerns about the safety of Port Sudan and the reliability of humanitarian corridors through the Red Sea coast.
The Sudanese army has promised to respond “appropriately and decisively” to what it calls a “reckless escalation.”
International observers are urging both parties to resume peace negotiations and protect civilian infrastructure.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as responses from the RSF and international agencies emerge.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
