Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck five power stations with drones, triggering widespread electricity outages in the east of the country.
This is reported by The Guardian, citing a government official.
The drones hit two power stations in each of the states of Al Jazirah and Gedaref, as well as one in White Nile state, “as a result of which electricity supply disappeared across large areas of these three states”.
All three states are under the control of the Sudanese army, which has been at war since April 2023 against the RSF — its former ally.
Following previous drone attacks by paramilitary groups on power stations and hydroelectric plants, the country has repeatedly experienced prolonged power cuts.
The current war in Sudan is being fought largely with drones: both sides to the conflict are carrying out sophisticated strikes across the country, which is killing dozens of civilians at the same time.
According to the UN, in the first three weeks of October alone, more than 300 people were killed in drone attacks and hundreds were injured.
Sudan Devastated by War
The war has devastated Sudan — Africa’s third-largest country by area, with a population of about 50 million. Humanitarian workers estimate that the conflict has claimed more than 200,000 lives.
Most hospitals in Sudan have been forced to stop operating, at least 8 million children are unable to attend school, and a significant share of the country’s population has been deprived of access to basic services.
Sudan is also facing unprecedented inflation, and the national currency has lost more than 25% of its value in recent weeks.