Port Sudan at the Crossroads of the Drone War

Long spared by the fighting, Port Sudan has now become a mirror of a conflict gradually engulfing the entire country. The drone attacks now hitting the city reflect a chaos worsened by the involvement of foreign powers.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been locked in a deadly conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This civil war has already killed more than 150,000 people and displaced over 13 million. The recent events in Port Sudan, especially the RSF’s heavy use of drones, are fueling tensions and risk turning this internal conflict into a major regional crisis. This article examines the security and geopolitical implications of these attacks, along with the reactions of regional and international actors.

Drone strikes: a turning point in the conflict

Port Sudan, previously relatively untouched by the fighting, now finds itself on the front line. Since May 2025, the city, acting as the Sudanese government’s de facto capital has been targeted by several waves of drone attacks. The strikes have hit strategic infrastructure such as the international airport, the Flamingo military base, and fuel storage sites, causing significant damage. Satellite images and local videos show thick black smoke rising from the affected areas, while emergency services struggle to contain the fires.

Brian Castner, crisis research lead at Amnesty International, expressed concern over the emergence of drones in the Sudan conflict: “Unfortunately, the battlefield seems to be expanding. These are precision weapons. These are relatively sophisticated bombs, and that’s why it feels like an escalation in the conflict.” Initially, such advanced weapons were not part of Sudan’s military arsenal and could only have been supplied by external actors.

The RSF is reportedly using at least two types of drones capable of dropping such bombs: the CH-95 and the Wing Loong II, both Chinese-designed and manufactured models. These drones, capable of precision strikes and intelligence gathering, evade conventional air defenses. Sudanese authorities have accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying the drones to the RSF, an allegation the UAE strongly denies. However, some UN experts and diplomats claim that the Amdjarass airstrip in Chad, about 50 km from the Sudanese border, is being used by the UAE to deliver weapons to Sudanese belligerents.

Regional tensions and foreign involvement

The situation in Port Sudan has repercussions far beyond Sudan’s borders. The UAE is accused of supporting the RSF, while Turkey is backing the SAF. This dynamic is reminiscent of the tensions seen in Libya, where Ankara and Abu Dhabi supported opposing sides. Turkey has provided the SAF with Bayraktar TB2 drones and Turkish operators, who have helped government forces regain ground against the RSF in recent months.

Analysts fear that an escalation of the conflict could turn Sudan into a new proxy war battleground for rival regional powers. Alan Boswell, Sudan expert at the International Crisis Group, warns that any retaliation by the SAF and their Turkish allies could draw both Turkey and the UAE further into Sudan’s internal war. According to a Sudanese official, the drone strikes on Port Sudan could spark a broader regional war. The growing number of drone attacks targeting logistical, oil, and power infrastructure is rapidly inflaming the Sudanese crisis.

_{A satellite image shows a cargo plane on the tarmac at Amdjarass airport, Chad, on October 1. REUTERS}

Geopolitical implications

The Red Sea, a strategic maritime corridor linking the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean, is at the heart of these geopolitical stakes. The UAE is attempting to establish a military presence in Port Sudan, but its plans are being hindered by the current tensions. Russia, for its part, is seeking to strengthen its regional foothold by setting up a naval base in Port Sudan, an agreement that has drawn mixed reactions both within Sudan and abroad. The Kremlin’s efforts to secure a permanent military deal in the area remain far from realized.

Analysts note that the UAE has stepped up its drone supplies to the RSF, posing a direct threat to regional stability. In late April 2025, the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health identified six advanced Chinese drones allegedly delivered by the UAE to Nyala airport, which is under RSF control in South Darfur. These drones have reportedly been used in coordinated attacks on strategic infrastructure, worsening the violence and complicating humanitarian efforts.

International and local reactions

The RSF’s large-scale use of drones has drawn international condemnation. Amnesty International has denounced the deployment of such weapons, pointing out that they inflict considerable human suffering and further deteriorate the humanitarian situation in Sudan. The organization also revealed that French-made weapon systems are being used on the battlefield in Sudan.

Locally, the people of Port Sudan live in constant fear of attacks. Once a hub for displaced persons and international institutions, the city now reflects the scale of violence sweeping the country. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the strikes could increase humanitarian needs and further hinder aid operations.

Outlook

The drone war in Port Sudan highlights the complexity of the Sudanese conflict and the challenges facing local armed forces. The RSF, backed by foreign powers, continues to pose a major challenge to the SAF, which must adapt its strategies to counter this threat. Analysts emphasize that resolving the conflict will require not only military action but also coordinated diplomatic efforts. Emadeddin Badi, senior fellow at the Middle East program of the Atlantic Council, stresses the importance of untangling foreign interests in order to build an effective international response to the crisis.