UN Expert Sounds Alarm Over Escalating Drone Strikes in Sudan
A devastating escalation in drone strikes has hit Sudan, with the United Nations expert on human rights in the country, Radhouane Nouicer, warning of a dramatic worsening of conditions for civilians. The recent intensification of attacks, which have targeted critical infrastructure in the Red Sea state, has sparked deep concern over the protection of innocent lives and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Since the conflict began in April 2023, Port Sudan has served as a vital lifeline for humanitarian operations and a safe haven for internally displaced people. However, the situation took a dire turn on May 4, when drone strikes, allegedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), began targeting essential infrastructure, including the city’s main electricity substation, fuel and gas storage facilities, and the international airport. These attacks have not only endangered civilian lives but also jeopardized access to basic services, leaving many without electricity, fuel, or medical care.
The magnitude of these drone attacks represents a major escalation in the conflict, with alarming implications for civilian protection. Nouicer stressed that the recurrent attacks on critical infrastructure place civilian lives at risk, worsen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine basic human rights. The resulting widespread power outages and disruptions to fuel supplies have disrupted access to essential rights, such as food, safe drinking water, and healthcare. Medical facilities in Port Sudan and Kassala have already been forced to operate at reduced capacity, further exacerbating the crisis.
The strikes in Port Sudan are part of a broader pattern of increasing attacks on critical infrastructure, allegedly by the RSF, in Northern, River Nile, and White Nile states. Nouicer emphasized that civilian infrastructure is protected under international law and must not be a target, stressing that the continued destruction and damage to infrastructure and social services in Sudan is devastating.
As the conflict between the army, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, continues to escalate, the international community must take notice of the dire situation unfolding in Sudan. The protection of civilians and the preservation of human rights must be paramount, and all parties involved must adhere to international law to prevent further suffering and devastation. The people of Sudan deserve peace, stability, and access to basic human rights, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met.
