A drone attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Shendi city in Sudan's River Nile state on Friday morning has resulted in the destruction of the city's power plant and a subsequent power outage. The attack, which occurred at dawn on October 30, 2026, caused fires to break out at the Shendi power plant, forcing it to shut down completely. The city's residents are now without electricity following the attack.
According to the Shendi locality's security committee, the power plant's transformers were severely damaged in the attack, leading to a complete shutdown of the facility. In addition to the power plant, the committee reported that a fuel storage facility belonging to the Nile Company and a building affiliated with the air defense forces were also damaged in the attack. The committee made these findings after inspecting the damage at the power plant.
The RSF's drone attack on Shendi city also targeted military installations, including the headquarters of the Third Infantry Division of the Sudanese army and a fuel storage facility. However, the army's air defenses were able to intercept and neutralize some of the drones, foiling the attack. This latest attack is part of a series of drone strikes carried out by the RSF on power plants in various Sudanese states.
Over the past few days, the RSF has intensified its drone attacks on power plants across Sudan, targeting seven facilities in different states. These attacks have resulted in the shutdown of power plants in Tindalti, Mishkour, Al-Hawat, Al-Faw, Al-Jeneid, Sennar, and Omdurman. The attacks have caused widespread power outages, affecting thousands of residents.
The Sudanese government has accused Ethiopia of involvement in the drone attacks on power plants, claiming that the drones used in the attacks were launched from Ethiopian territory. The government also alleges that Ethiopia is providing support to the RSF. These allegations have further strained relations between the two countries.
The escalating drone attacks and human rights abuses in Sudan have raised concerns among international observers. The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan warned in a report that the increasing use of drones and repression of civil liberties poses a significant threat to the lives of civilians and undermines efforts to achieve a genuine and inclusive Sudanese dialogue to end the war.
The fact-finding mission's report highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict, with civilians facing threats from drone attacks, arrest, and intimidation. The mission concluded that the pattern of drone attacks documented in Sudan violates the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions necessary to protect civilians and may amount to war crimes.
Key points
- The drone attack on Shendi city has caused a power outage, affecting thousands of residents.
- The RSF has intensified its drone attacks on power plants across Sudan, targeting seven facilities in different states.
- The Sudanese government has accused Ethiopia of involvement in the drone attacks on power plants.
