Sudan’s civil war has entered a dangerous new phase after paramilitary fighters launched a wave of drone attacks on Port Sudan. This comes just weeks after the army celebrated recapturing the capital, Khartoum.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), driven out of central Sudan, have now turned to advanced drone strikes to continue their fight. Experts have described this aggressive campaign as a “shock and awe” strategy, aimed at showing the RSF’s power despite losing territory.
The attacks on Port Sudan, located in the east, have caused serious power outages and water shortages for residents. The city had been considered a safe zone, hosting government officials, diplomats, and humanitarian groups.
“This level of power projection in the region is unprecedented,” said Alan Boswell from the International Crisis Group. He believes these strikes raise the stakes significantly.
The RSF’s use of drones highlights a growing trend of modern warfare in Africa. Drones have been crucial in the conflict, now in its third year, as both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF fight for control.
The war started as a power struggle between SAF and RSF but has now involved other armed groups and foreign backers. The United Nations has called it the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Earlier this year, drones helped the army advance. But as the RSF was pushed out of Khartoum, it increased drone attacks on army-held infrastructure like dams and power stations. Strikes on Port Sudan mark a shift towards long-range, remote warfare.
Reports suggest the RSF may have used signal jammers on drones to bypass army air defenses, though this remains unconfirmed.
The SAF has hit back, targeting RSF strongholds like the South Darfur airport in Nyala, destroying an aircraft there. Some analysts believe the RSF’s strikes on Port Sudan are partly retaliatory.
Foreign influence in the war is becoming more evident. The army has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying drones to the RSF, leading to a diplomatic fallout. The UAE denies these claims. However, research led by Justin Lynch of the Conflict Insights Group presents strong evidence of UAE involvement, including monitoring flight patterns linked to arms transfers.
Lynch’s team also found evidence suggesting Iran is supplying weapons to the Sudanese army, while Turkey is accused of selling drones and warheads to the SAF. Both Iran and Turkey have denied these allegations.
The RSF’s ability to strike strategic targets far from its positions has shocked regional powers, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who support the SAF. Over a week of attacks, the RSF targeted Port Sudan’s only international airport, a power station, fuel depots, and a military air base, aiming to disrupt army supply lines.
The UN has warned that these attacks could worsen the humanitarian crisis, making aid deliveries even harder and increasing civilian casualties.
Sudanese political analyst Kholood Khair believes the RSF is trying to change the narrative. “They are sending a message: you may recapture cities, but you will never fully control them,” she said. The RSF wants to show the war will not end until they decide so.
While the RSF has not officially claimed the Port Sudan attacks, it has repeated accusations that the army is backed by Iran and has condemned military strikes on RSF-held areas as war crimes.
Both sides face war crimes allegations, but the RSF has been particularly accused of mass rape and genocide, charges it denies.
The RSF’s drone tactics have evolved. Previously, they used small “suicide drones” designed to crash into targets. In Port Sudan, they reportedly used a swarm of 11 kamikaze drones to distract defenses, allowing a strategic drone to hit a military base. The type of drone used is unclear, but experts believe they could be advanced Chinese-made CH-95s capable of long-range strikes.
Photos of drone wreckage suggest the RSF is now using more advanced models, better suited to penetrate air defenses. This shift draws comparisons to drone warfare in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine.
“These drones are cheaper and don’t require pilots, yet they offer high precision,” said Jeremy Binnie from Jane’s defense intelligence. He noted that technologies once reserved for powerful nations are now appearing in African civil wars.
Sudan’s foreign ministry has warned that these attacks threaten Red Sea security and called for international action against the RSF’s alleged backers, mainly the UAE.
According to Lynch, the only way to stop the war is through serious diplomatic efforts, especially involving the UAE. “Without real diplomacy, this war will drag on for years, even decades,” he warned.
