RSF drone strikes on power plant kill two, plunge northern Sudan into darkness

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched a major drone assault on critical power infrastructure in northern Sudan, killing two workers and causing extensive electricity blackouts across several states. The attack early Thursday morning on the city of Atbara represents a significant escalation in the civil war's impact on civilian life and essential services.

Targeting key energy infrastructure

According to local media reports, the RSF targeted a key power substation and the Al-Maqran power station in Atbara, the capital of River Nile state, using a swarm of so-called "suicide drones." Sudanese air defenses intercepted several of the unmanned aircraft, but others struck their targets, damaging main transformers and sparking fires. The strikes triggered widespread power cuts, affecting not only the River Nile state but also parts of the Red Sea state and the city of Omdurman, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.

Civilian casualties and expanded drone warfare

The attack resulted in the deaths of two civil defense workers stationed at the Atbara power facility. Eyewitnesses reported loud explosions as anti-aircraft fire attempted to repel the drones, which residents said were launched in large numbers against Atbara, Al-Damer, and the local airport. Monitoring sources suggest the drones originated from areas in the Kordofan region, specifically the RSF-controlled city of Bara in North Kordofan, indicating the paramilitary's expanding long-range strike capabilities.

A deepening humanitarian and strategic crisis

This attack on civilian infrastructure follows weeks of fierce fighting in the Kordofan states that has displaced tens of thousands. The RSF controls the five states of Darfur in the west, while the Sudanese army holds most other territories, including the capital, Khartoum. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has killed thousands and displaced millions, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Such deliberate targeting of essential services is observed with grave concern by the international community, including nations like Türkiye, which have provided aid and consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians.