Drone attacks have struck a major power plant in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan resulting in a “complete power outage”, the nation’s electricity company stated.
Explosions and Fires Near Airport
Explosions and massive fires have been reported close to the city’s main international airport as a paramilitary force attacked the strategic city for the third day in a row.
Flights have been suspended after drones attacked the international airport and a hotel close to the current presidential palace, reports indicate.
Witnesses Describe the Devastating Scenes
“I can see a large cloud of fire and smoke moving like everywhere around the city. and I have just heard now that there were like two big bangs. It is really apocalyptic-looking,” a reporter, Cristina Karrer, said on a programme.
Black smoke hung over the horizon at sunrise over the once-safe city where tens of thousands of refugees from the two-year conflict have arrived.
Power and Essential Services Disrupted in Sudan
On Tuesday, Sudan’s electricity company indicated that it was evaluating the damage on its substation, which has interfered with the supply of water, health, and other services.
One of the drones hit the civilian part of the Port Sudan airport and another hit the central army base in the middle of the city, witnesses informed AFP news agency.
A third drone hit “a fuel depot close to the southern port” in the highly populated city center, where UN officials, diplomats, aid agencies, and Sudan’s army have moved from the capital Khartoum, AFP reported.
Hotel Targeted in Attack
A large hotel near the home of army head Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was also targeted in the assault, the witness added.
Mariam Atta, a children’s hospital nutritional supervisor in Port Sudan, explained the moment she heard the attacks.
“We woke up to the roar of explosions and were terrified. We had never witnessed an attack before, but we saw the smoke rising, the fire – it was overwhelming.”
When asked whether she feared the attacks might happen again, she said: “Yes, we are afraid, and it’s very likely to happen again. The fear is constant. As long as there’s an intention to target Port Sudan and vital areas, and to intimidate civilians, these attacks will continue.”
UN Halts Aid Flights Temporarily
After the drone strikes, the UN has halted temporarily aid flights to Port Sudan, but normal aid activities remain, stated Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson of the UN.
“None of our offices, facilities or warehouses have been affected, and we are still conducting our usual activities,” Mr Haq further added.
On Tuesday, the government of Sudan spokesman Khaled Al-Aiser stated that the military was defending the damaged fuel depots “to the extent possible,” adding that the “will of the Sudanese people will remain unbreakable.”
The army has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of the drone attacks which began on Sunday. The RSF has yet to issue a comment on the attacks.
In a statement, the African Union cautioned that the attack on Port Sudan was “a dangerous escalation” of the Sudanese civil war and “a direct threat to the lives of civilians, humanitarian access, and regional stability.”
Port Sudan Considered Safe Before Attacks
Before the Sunday attacks, Port Sudan had escaped bombardment and was considered one of the safest locations in the war-torn country.
The paramilitary organization has increasingly used drones to retake its lost territories, such as Khartoum that was recaptured by the army in March.
The two years of conflict between the army and the RSF have claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, and caused the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Both the army and RSF are accused of war crimes.
