Sudan: UAE-Backed Terror Group (RSF) Target Port Sudan’s Infrastructure

Port Sudan International Airport is engulfed in flames following a drone attack attributed to the terror group also known as The Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The assault occurred on the night of May 6, targeting fuel storage facilities at the airport and the adjacent port area, leading to significant fires and the evacuation of authorities and personnel. All flights have been suspended, and residents have reported explosions throughout the city for the third consecutive day.

The RSF’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strike critical infrastructure marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023. The recent attacks on Port Sudan include a military base strike on May 4, followed by additional drone strikes on fuel depots the following day. The Sudanese army has accused the RSF of deliberately undermining vital infrastructure in eastern Sudan, a region that has remained relatively safe amid the chaos engulfing the country.

Port Sudan, located on the Red Sea coast, serves as Sudan’s primary sea and air gateway and has become a crucial hub for humanitarian supplies and evacuation flights. However, the recent RSF attacks have raised serious concerns about the city’s safety, which was previously regarded as a refuge for those fleeing the violence in Khartoum.

Following the drone strike, the airport was evacuated, with staff and passengers moved to secure areas. The explosions also damaged warehouses in the port area, exacerbating existing shortages of fuel and essential goods. The ongoing conflict has already displaced over 12 million people and left millions more facing starvation.

The RSF, formed from the Janjaweed militia, has increasingly relied on drone technology to target strategic locations, complicating the Sudanese army’s control over the eastern regions. The situation is particularly alarming given the UAE backing for the RSF’s operations, including drone strikes on critical infrastructure such as power stations. This support raises ethical questions about the UAE’s role in exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The RSF’s recent attacks are not isolated incidents; the group has been implicated in a devastating assault on the city of Al-Nahud, resulting in the deaths of at least 300 civilians, including 21 children. The RSF’s actions in Al-Nahud included the looting of hospitals and markets, further trapping residents and blocking all exits and aid routes.

The RSF’s actions, supported by external forces like the UAE, are pushing Sudan deeper into chaos. With over 20,000 people reported killed and millions displaced, the situation in Sudan remains dire, and the safety of previously secure areas like Port Sudan is now in jeopardy.