Port Sudan: No let-up in drone attacks

Hundreds of thousands of people have sought shelter in Port Sudan fleeing war that erupted in April 2023 after a breakdown in transition to civilian rule in Sudan.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that further escalation of violence in Sudan could result in massive civilian casualties and deepen the country’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Guterres expressed deep alarm at the spread of conflict into Port Sudan, a key humanitarian hub and refuge for hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

“The expansion of fighting into an area that has been a lifeline for so many displaced is deeply concerning,” said Guterres.

His remarks come amid a wave of drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Port Sudan—attacks that have opened a new front in the ongoing battle between Sudan’s military government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The city, which has become the de facto administrative capital after Khartoum fell under RSF control, hosts key ports and airports vital for aid delivery via the Red Sea.

In response to the attacks, UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights to and from Port Sudan have been suspended since 4 May. The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which operates the service, said flights would resume when security permits. The insecurity has also hampered the movement of humanitarian personnel across the country.

Drone strikes have been reported in other parts of Sudan, including Kassala and River Nile states. In Kassala, attacks near the airport displaced around 2,900 people and disrupted humanitarian operations. Meanwhile, River Nile State remained without electricity as of Wednesday evening due to a 25 April drone strike on a key transformer in Atbara, resulting in widespread fuel and bread shortages.

Guterres condemned the continued targeting of essential infrastructure since January, warning that it has severely limited access to food, clean water, healthcare, and electricity.

“All parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law,” the UN chief said. “They must refrain from targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, minimise incidental harm, and ensure safe, unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.”

Sudan’s conflict stems from a failed transition to civilian rule following the ousting of long-time dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Guterres criticised the “lack of political will” among rival factions to engage in meaningful dialogue and urged immediate negotiations.

“Dialogue is the only path to peace—the peace that the people of Sudan demand and deserve,” he added.

The conflict has already claimed more than 18,800 civilian lives and injured tens of thousands, according to reports. UN agencies say Sudan is now facing the world’s largest hunger crisis. Over 30 million people—more than half the population—require humanitarian aid, including 15 million children.

“Across Sudan, 25 million people face acute hunger,” said WFP spokesperson Leni Kinzli. “Nearly 13 million people have been displaced, including around 450,000 who fled extreme violence in North Darfur alone.”

Despite severe risks, the UN and humanitarian partners continue efforts to reach vulnerable communities, especially in conflict zones such as El Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp. WFP has distributed emergency food assistance to 335,000 people recently displaced from El Fasher and is scaling up operations in Khartoum, aiming to assist one million people in the coming month.

Distributions are ongoing in Jabalia, a famine-risk area in southern Khartoum, and in the central neighbourhood of Burri, where aid workers recently gained access.

To reach 21 million people this year, the UN requires $4.2 billion—but only 7% of the appeal is currently funded. The WFP alone needs $700 million over the next six months to expand support to seven million people per month.