Port Sudan Hit in Strategic Shift by Sudan’s Paramilitary Forces

Paramilitary forces in Sudan have launched a wave of drone attacks on Port Sudan, marking what analysts describe as a dramatic new phase in the ongoing civil war. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), recently pushed out of the capital Khartoum, appear to be shifting towards a campaign of remote warfare using increasingly sophisticated drone technology.

The strikes on Port Sudan — a previously secure hub for diplomats, aid agencies and the government — disrupted power supplies and water access, deepening the humanitarian crisis. Alan Boswell of the International Crisis Group described the escalation as a “shock and awe campaign”, noting it signals the RSF’s continued ability and intent to wage war despite battlefield losses.

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The RSF’s tactics have included kamikaze-style drone swarms, with recent attacks targeting military infrastructure such as airbases and power stations. Sudanese military officials say many drones were intercepted, but acknowledge that at least one strategic drone successfully struck a base in Port Sudan. Analysts say these attacks may have involved Chinese-manufactured CH-95 drones, capable of long-range precision strikes.

Now entering its third year, Sudan’s conflict — originally a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF — has evolved into a complex war drawing in other armed groups and foreign support. Both sides face accusations of war crimes, but the RSF has been particularly scrutinised for alleged mass atrocities, including genocide and sexual violence.