Multiple drone attacks targeted Sudan’s electrical grid on Monday, striking substations in eastern and northern regions of the country. Facilities in New Halfa and Aroma in Kassala state, as well as the al-Ghazali substation in Northern State, were reported hit in the coordinated strikes. Social media footage appeared to show fires at the targeted sites, with emergency teams working to contain the blazes, though the videos could not be immediately verified.
The Monday attacks represent an escalation in what officials describe as a sustained campaign against Sudan’s power system. Over the past week alone, 18 strikes targeting electrical infrastructure have been documented across various parts of the country. These attacks have resulted in widespread power disruptions affecting civilians in multiple regions.
Sudan’s military leadership has attributed the drone campaign to external support for opposition forces. The government alleges that Ethiopia is assisting the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organization with which Sudan’s military has been engaged in conflict since April 2023. In response to these allegations, Sudan’s government filed formal complaints against Ethiopia with both the United Nations Security Council and the African Union’s Peace and Security Council on Sunday, accusing Addis Ababa of involvement in attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Developments on the ground also reflect shifting dynamics within the conflict. The Sudanese army announced on Monday that members of the Rapid Support Forces had defected and surrendered to government forces in Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile state. A senior RSF commander, Siddiq Ander, released video footage confirming his defection. Military officials stated that the defecting commander provided details about RSF military operations in the region, including references to external support from Ethiopia. The army characterized these defections as part of an increasing trend of fighters leaving the paramilitary group in Blue Nile state.
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