### Escalating Violence in Sudan: Port Sudan Faces Airstrikes Amid Civil War

**This article examines the recent escalation in violence in Port Sudan amid the ongoing civil war, highlighting the perspectives of officials, civilians, and the implications for humanitarian efforts.**

Large clouds of smoke hung over Port Sudan on Tuesday as the ongoing civil war in Sudan escalated, with the city now suffering drone attacks that have lasted three days. The Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), a prominent paramilitary group, executed drone strikes targeting civilian infrastructure, including an airport and a hospital, in this city once seen as a refuge for those fleeing the violence.

On the morning of May 6, drones struck a fuel depot close to both the port and the local airport, according to eyewitness accounts. Khalid Ali Aleisir, Sudan’s minister of information, labeled the strikes as "criminal and terrorist acts" on social media, assuring the public that security forces are fully mobilized to protect the citizens. A post shared by Aleisir showed him near a significant plume of smoke from the attacks, reinforcing his message of resilience.

The R.S.F. has not claimed responsibility for the latest strikes, which also hit the Marina Hotel, where diplomats were reportedly staying. Notably, there were no casualties immediately reported. The R.S.F. launched the initial wave of strikes on Sunday, marking the first assault on Port Sudan since the onset of the conflict in 2023. They targeted an airbase and ammunition storage, steering concerns about the possible escalation of violence toward civilian areas.

Civilians expressed their fear as the fighting inches closer to their temporary refuge. Mohamed Ahmed, who fled from Khartoum, voiced his apprehension, fearing further dislocation while emphasizing the destruction it brings upon the country. “They are both destroying the country’s infrastructure, and eventually, only a destroyed and empty country will remain,” he lamented, contemplating sending his family elsewhere should the situation worsen.

Thousands of civilians had sought asylum in Port Sudan as the fighting rendered Khartoum unlivable, with the city becoming a crucial hub for humanitarian aid in a landscape where famine looms. In March, there was a noticeable shift in warfare with the Sudanese military reclaiming control over central Khartoum, including vital government establishments.

The African Union has publicly condemned the violence, warning that it presents a severe threat to both civilians’ lives and broader regional stability, underscoring the urgency for humanitarian access amid the deepening crisis.