Drone strikes mark new phase in Sudan War as conflict escalates

Port Sudan, once seen as a safe haven, has come under a wave of drone strikes aimed at critical infrastructure. Paramilitary forces launched a new stage of Sudan’s civil conflict following their retreat from the capital, a development some analysts are calling a “shock and awe” offensive, the BBC reported on May 15th. 

This comes only weeks after the army marked its success in retaking Khartoum, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) responded with a wave of unexpected drone attacks targeting Port Sudan in the east.

The strikes have intensified power outages and left city residents dealing with water shortages.

“It’s a level of power projection within this region that we haven’t seen yet,” said Alan Boswell, a Horn of Africa specialist at the International Crisis Group.

The wave of strikes on the wartime capital and key humanitarian centre highlights the RSF’s continued resolve and capability to wage war, despite losing ground. It also reflects the rising use of sophisticated drone technology in African conflicts.

Now in its third year, the war has seen drones take on an increasingly prominent role.

The conflict started as a battle for control between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, eventually involving other local militias and international supporters. The UN has labelled it the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis.

Earlier this year, the army used unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to gain ground, while the RSF ramped up its own drone operations after being forced out of central areas like Khartoum and retreating toward its western base.

In recent months, the paramilitary forces have intensified drone attacks on key civilian infrastructure in areas held by the army. On the evening of May 14th, strikes targeted three power stations in Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, resulting in major power outages across the capital region.

However, it was the RSF’s continued assault on Port Sudan—previously considered a secure hub for government officials, diplomats, and aid agencies—that signaled a strategic pivot toward remote warfare, aiming to showcase their resilience and reach.

BBC/ United Nations/ Maghrebi.org