Port Sudan, May 7, 2025 — Sudan’s ongoing conflict has escalated dramatically, with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launching a series of drone strikes on critical infrastructure in Port Sudan, a city once viewed as a relative safe haven. The attacks, which targeted the international airport, a naval base, fuel depots, and a power station over four consecutive days, mark a strategic shift toward attritional warfare, exacerbating a dire humanitarian situation and sparking regional diplomatic fallout.
Military Developments and Diplomatic Rupture
The Sudanese army has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying drones to the RSF, allegations the UAE has categorically denied. In response, Sudan severed diplomatic ties with the Gulf nation, branding it an “aggressor state.” The International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed Sudan’s bid to hold the UAE legally accountable for alleged genocide, citing jurisdictional limitations.
Analysts warn the RSF’s reliance on drone technology signals a prolonged conflict, prioritizing economic and logistical disruption over direct territorial gains. “This is a war of attrition aimed at crippling the state’s capacity to function,” a regional security expert noted.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Looms
The United Nations has issued urgent warnings that attacks on Port Sudan—Sudan’s primary hub for international aid—threaten to derail relief efforts for 25 million people facing acute food insecurity. The World Food Programme (WFP) cautioned that further disruptions could tip the nation into widespread famine.
Amid the chaos, Türkiye dispatched its second humanitarian “Ship of Goodness” to Port Sudan, delivering 1,605 tons of food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. The gesture underscores growing international concern as fighting intensifies in Khartoum and critical infrastructure collapses.
Calls for De-escalation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has implored both sides to pursue immediate dialogue, stressing that “civilians must be shielded from further suffering.” However, with diplomatic channels strained and violence escalating, prospects for a ceasefire remain bleak.
As Sudan’s conflict enters its third year, the crisis threatens to destabilize the broader Horn of Africa region. The international community faces mounting pressure to address both the humanitarian emergency and the geopolitical ramifications of a protracted war.
