Sudan’s civil war has entered a new and perilous phase, marked by a wave of drone attacks carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Port Sudan—a city long considered a safe haven. These assaults come in the wake of the Sudanese Armed Forces' (SAF) recent reclaiming of Khartoum and reflect a strategic evolution in the conflict.
The RSF’s drone campaign—described by analysts as a “shock and awe” tactic—has caused widespread disruption in Port Sudan, leading to blackouts and water shortages. This offensive underscores the RSF’s enduring combat capability, even after territorial setbacks, and signals a bold shift in warfare strategy.
“This is a level of power projection we haven’t seen in this region,” noted Alan Boswell, a Horn of Africa expert with the International Crisis Group. “It raises the stakes considerably.”
Now in its third year, Sudan’s war originated as a power struggle between the SAF and RSF but has since morphed into a broader conflict involving regional militias and foreign actors. The United Nations has labeled it the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Drone warfare has rapidly become a cornerstone of the conflict, highlighting the increasing use of advanced military technology on the African continent.
Initially, the SAF leveraged unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to regain control of key areas. In response to being pushed out of central Sudan—including the capital—the RSF has escalated its use of drones from its western strongholds. These drone strikes have targeted vital infrastructure, such as power stations and dams, in SAF-controlled regions.
The attacks on Port Sudan carry particular significance. The city houses government officials, foreign diplomats, and international aid agencies. Its targeting by the RSF signals a deliberate move toward remote warfare, asserting influence without direct occupation.
“The RSF is trying to demonstrate that they don’t need to physically control Port Sudan to influence it,” explained Kholood Khair, a Sudanese political analyst. “They’re reframing the narrative from a victorious SAF to one where RSF can render cities ungovernable.”
Khair emphasized that the RSF's message is clear: “You may take the cities, but we can still make them ungovernable. The war is far from over.”
Though the RSF has not formally claimed responsibility for the drone strikes, it continues to accuse the SAF of collaborating with Iran and targeting civilians. Both factions deny committing war crimes; however, the RSF faces particularly grave allegations, including mass rape and genocide.
The RSF’s turn to drone warfare reflects both necessity and growing technical sophistication. Previously, the group employed suicide drones—explosive-laden UAVs designed to breach enemy defenses. In one recent attack on a military airbase in Port Sudan, 11 kamikaze drones were deployed in a swarm. While most were intercepted, they successfully diverted attention, enabling a more advanced drone to penetrate defenses and strike its target.
Though the exact model remains unconfirmed, satellite imagery reviewed by Yale researchers and Reuters reveals the presence of advanced drones at an airport in South Darfur as early as 2025. Defense intelligence firm Janes has identified them as likely Chinese-made CH-95 drones, capable of long-range precision attacks.
The deployment of such high-grade technology reflects the deepening militarization of Sudan’s conflict. With no end in sight, the rising prominence of drone warfare not only intensifies the fighting but also compounds the already dire humanitarian crisis across the region.
Source: Citinewsroom
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