Armed conflict

Drone Strikes Rock Port Sudan, Threatening Aid Operations

MAY 7 2025·Updated MAY 8 2025

Story

Above: Smoke billows after a drone strike on the port of Port Sudan on May 6, 2025. Image credit: AFP/Contributor/via Getty Images

The Facts

Port Sudan has endured four days of drone strikes since Sunday, targeting the international airport, naval bases, and fuel depots — disrupting humanitarian operations and temporarily forcing flight cancellations.
Reuters
Al Jazeera
The Hansindia
The attacks have caused widespread power outages, massive fires at fuel depots, and disrupted essential services in Port Sudan, which had previously served as a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of displaced people and U.N. operations since the civil war began in April 2023.
France 24
Aa
The Sudanese army has blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the drone attacks, which occurred approximately 650 km (404 miles) from the RSF's nearest known positions, demonstrating an expanded reach after losing control of Khartoum in March.
Arab News
The Arabweekly
Sudan's government has severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing it of supplying advanced weapons to the RSF, though the UAE has repeatedly denied these allegations. The International Court of Justice recently dismissed Sudan's case against the UAE.
Al Jazeera
Breitbart
The U.N. has expressed deep concern, as Port Sudan serves as the primary entry point for aid in a country where nearly 25 million people face severe food insecurity and some areas have already declared famine.
guardian
Breitbart
The ongoing civil war has effectively split Sudan, with the army controlling the center, north, and east, while the RSF holds most of Darfur and parts of the south, resulting in over 13 million displaced people and creating what the U.N. describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
guardian
The Arabweekly

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

The drone attacks on Port Sudan represent a desperate escalation by the RSF after losing ground in Khartoum. These strikes deliberately target civilian infrastructure and humanitarian operations — threatening the lives of millions of displaced people and undermining international aid efforts. The RSF's actions, supported by foreign backing, demonstrate its disregard for civilian welfare and international law.

France 24

Al Jazeera

Narrative B

The military government's alignment with Iran and its stronghold on power have forced alternative measures to challenge their authority. The army's continued airstrikes in Darfur and targeting of civilian areas have resulted in widespread destruction and displacement. The military's accusations against foreign powers are merely attempts to deflect from their own role in perpetuating the conflict.

The Arabweekly

Breitbart