Rapid Support Forces Launch Drone Attacks on Khartoum

SadaNews - The Sudanese capital, Khartoum, was subjected to drone attacks carried out by the Rapid Support Forces for the third consecutive day on Thursday, with explosions and anti-aircraft fire heard in the southern part of the city early this morning.

These attacks followed a threat from the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), to directly target any airport from which Sudanese army planes take off, deeming it a legitimate target in his words.

The Rapid Support Forces had previously launched an attack on Khartoum International Airport early Wednesday, using around six diving drones, which were successfully intercepted by the army's ground defenses.

These developments come after the Sudan Airports Company announced the resumption of operations at the airport, which had been closed since the outbreak of war in April 2023. This announcement marked the reopening of the airport and the resumption of air traffic in the capital after a halt that lasted 921 days due to the outbreak of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.

On Wednesday, the first passenger flight landed since April 15, signaling a gradual return of air activity to the capital.

The head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visited Khartoum Airport, affirming the army's determination to eliminate the rebellion and stressing his rejection of any role for mercenaries and those who support them in Sudan's future, while welcoming national peace initiatives.

The airport administration stated in an official announcement that a plane from Badr Airlines recently landed, confirming that this event represents an important step toward the recovery of the Sudanese aviation sector and the gradual restoration of air activity.

However, just a few hours after the Civil Aviation Authority announced its intention to reopen the airport, the facility was attacked by drones from the Rapid Support Forces, raising concerns about the stability of the new operational processes.

Earlier, the Rapid Support Forces targeted the city of Sennar, hitting civilian and military facilities, but the army managed to thwart these attacks amid the ongoing conflict since April 2023, which has claimed the lives of more than 20,000 people and forced about 15 million to flee or seek refuge, according to the United Nations.