KHARTOUM, (HAN) — The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in ongoing clashes with Sudan’s regular army, have carried out heavy drone attacks on military bases in Khartoum, the capital, Al Jazeera reported.
The strikes mark a significant escalation of violence months after the Sudanese military seized control of key government institutions, plunging the country into a political and security crisis.
Witnesses in Khartoum said they saw unmanned aerial vehicles flying over strategic areas, including military installations and densely populated urban neighborhoods. Explosions and intermittent gunfire were heard across the city, generating widespread fear among civilians.
Operating semi-independently from Sudan’s army, the RSF has increasingly relied on drones in recent weeks, signaling a shift toward high-tech urban warfare. Military analysts say the use of unmanned aircraft gives the RSF an advantage by allowing them to strike key targets without exposing ground forces to direct combat.
“These drone attacks are part of a broader strategy to challenge the military’s control over Khartoum,” said a Sudanese security expert who requested anonymity. “It shows that the conflict is intensifying and that both sides are preparing for a protracted confrontation.”
Since the military takeover earlier this year, clashes between the RSF and regular army units have left hundreds dead and thousands displaced. Critical infrastructure in the capital, including hospitals, roads, and public buildings, has suffered significant damage, raising humanitarian concerns.
The international community has repeatedly called for restraint and dialogue, warning that continued fighting in Sudan could destabilize the wider region and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation.
As of now, there has been no immediate response from Sudan’s military regarding the RSF drone strikes, and it remains unclear whether the violence will escalate further in the coming days.
