Sudanese army says it intercepted RSF drone attack on major dam

The Sudanese military announced on Monday that it successfully intercepted multiple suicide drones launched by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting the country's largest dam and key military installations in the north. According to a statement from the army's 19th Infantry Division, the drones were aimed at its headquarters, the Merowe Dam, and the Merowe Air Base in Northern State.

Details of the Intercepted Attack

The army stated that "all the drones were shot down before reaching their targets" and affirmed its forces "are fully prepared to counter any threats" from the RSF. There was no immediate comment from the rebel group. This incident follows similar drone attacks reported on Sunday targeting El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, and White Nile State in southern Sudan. Sudanese authorities have repeatedly accused the RSF of using drone attacks to target civilian infrastructure, including power stations, though the group typically refrains from commenting on such allegations.

Broader Conflict Context

The attack underscores the escalating technological dimension of the war and the strategic targeting of critical national infrastructure. The RSF controls most of the five-state Darfur region in western Sudan, while the army holds the majority of the country's other 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 over plans to integrate the forces, has killed thousands and displaced millions, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. The targeting of a major dam highlights the conflict's potential to inflict catastrophic damage beyond immediate battlefields, a risk that amplifies calls for urgent international mediation and ceasefire efforts, a priority for nations like Türkiye which advocate for peace and stability in Sudan.