In a troubling escalation of the Sudanese civil war, drone attacks by paramilitary forces have left Port Sudan without power, disrupting essential services and raising fears among civilians seeking refuge. The African Union has condemned the violence, calling it a direct threat to civilian safety and humanitarian operations.
Power Crisis in Port Sudan: Paramilitary Attacks Disrupt Infrastructure
Power Crisis in Port Sudan: Paramilitary Attacks Disrupt Infrastructure
A series of drone strikes targeting Port Sudan have led to a total power outage, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as safety is compromised.
As conflict continues to rage in Sudan, Port Sudan faces unprecedented assaults from paramilitary forces, resulting in a complete power outage that has sullied the city’s reputation as a safe haven. Early reports indicate that the electricity provider has confirmed the extensive damage after drones struck a significant power station.
Witnesses described the atmosphere in Port Sudan as apocalyptic, with explosions and flames reported near the international airport, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights. Cristina Karrer, a journalist, provided a vivid account of the devastation, with plumes of thick smoke visible on the horizon amidst the chaos.
The attacks on Tuesday threatened the already compromised infrastructure, severely impacting the supply of water, health services, and essential operations in the densely populated area. One drone specifically targeted the civilian section of the Port Sudan airport, while another struck an army base, highlighting the strategic significance of the assaults.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq stated that while the agency has temporarily halted aid flights to the city, regular operations continue as the organization's facilities remain unscathed. The Sudanese government accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of orchestrating the drone strikes; however, the paramilitary group has yet to respond.
The African Union has characterized the events in Port Sudan as a dangerous escalation of the ongoing civil war, warning that it poses immediate threats both to civilians and to regional stability. In recent months, Port Sudan had been a refuge for people displaced by the civil war, which has seen fighting claim thousands of lives and worsen the humanitarian crisis further.
The conflict between Sudan's army and the RSF continues to unfold, with both sides accused of committing war crimes amid the chaos, leaving millions in peril and with no end in sight for the violence that has ravaged the nation since its inception.
