Drone Strike Rocks Khartoum Ahead of Airport Reopening

Explosions Shake the Capital

A drone attack struck near Khartoum International Airport early Tuesday morning, a day before the airport was due to resume domestic flights for the first time since Sudan’s civil war erupted in 2023.

Residents across several districts of the Sudanese capital reported hearing a series of loud explosions. Images circulating on social media appeared to show blasts lighting up the night sky, though the authenticity of these visuals has not yet been verified.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no official reports of casualties or significant damage, and no group had claimed responsibility for the assault.

Planned Reopening Interrupted

The drone strike came just hours after Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that Khartoum International Airport would reopen on Wednesday for domestic flights. The move was seen as a major milestone after the Sudanese army recaptured the city from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) earlier this year and began extensive repairs on the war-damaged airport.

The attack marks the third assault in Khartoum in a week, following drone strikes on two army bases in north-west Khartoum last Thursday and Friday.

According to a report by the Sudan Tribune, security officials said anti-aircraft defenses had intercepted “several drones” during the early-morning attack, though they provided no details on potential damage.

Strategic Significance of the Airport

Khartoum International Airport has been closed since April 2023, when the conflict between Sudan’s military and the RSF erupted. The paramilitary force seized the airport in the early days of the war, halting both domestic and international flights.

Since then, Port Sudan, located on the country’s eastern coast, has served as Sudan’s only functioning international airport. However, that facility has also come under drone attack in recent months, highlighting the growing reach of the warring factions.

Omega Tv UK celebrates ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, we wish to thank all our viewers for helping us reach this milestone.

Happy 1st anniversary to Omega TV UK!.

Ongoing Power Struggle

The war began as a bitter power struggle between Sudan’s army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.

Though the army regained control of Khartoum in March, sporadic attacks have continued, with the RSF accused of targeting military and civilian infrastructure from afar. Analysts say the group may now be focusing on destabilizing strategic areas to weaken the army’s grip on the capital.

Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in el-Fasher, the army’s last major stronghold in the Darfur region, as the RSF and its allies push westward.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The conflict, now entering its third year, has devastated Sudan. Tens of thousands have been killed, and millions displaced, with the United Nations describing the situation as “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”

Basic services such as healthcare, electricity, and water remain scarce in large parts of the country, while aid organizations continue to face significant access restrictions.

As Sudan’s fragile capital once again comes under fire, hopes for peace and recovery appear increasingly distant.

About The Author