A drone attack carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the "Um Alileh" fuel depot in eastern Madani, Sudan, on September 27, 2026. The attack occurred at dawn and caused a massive fire, with flames spreading across a large area of the depot. Civilians reported hearing a series of explosions in the town of Abu Haraz, located in the East Jazirah locality, shortly after dawn.
The Um Alileh depot, situated approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Madani, is a strategic facility used for storing and distributing petroleum products. It is one of the most important fuel storage facilities in central Sudan, serving as a direct transfer point for fuel from the Geili refinery to the rest of the country. The depot's location near Abu Haraz in the East Jazirah locality makes it a critical infrastructure target.
The attack resulted in significant damage, with several main tanks catching fire and thick columns of smoke billowing from the fuel silos. The blaze raised concerns about the potential for a larger humanitarian disaster. The Civil Defense Forces in Jazirah State responded quickly, dispatching teams to extinguish the fires and contain the damage. They managed to secure the perimeter of the facility and limit the damage to the affected tanks.
According to the Civil Defense Forces, their teams successfully contained the fires and prevented them from spreading to undamaged tanks. The affected tanks, storing gasoline and diesel, were secured, while the rest of the facility remained intact. The swift response likely mitigated the impact of the attack, but the incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by civilians and infrastructure in the region.
The RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces have been engaging in a series of drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to non-military targets. A recent report by the UN Fact-Finding Mission documented over 1,000 deaths in drone attacks during the first five months of 2026, accusing both parties of committing serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The use of drones in the conflict has led to allegations of war crimes, with the UN report emphasizing the need for accountability. The attack on the Um Alileh fuel depot is part of a broader pattern of violence affecting civilians and critical infrastructure in Sudan. Efforts to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and ensure accountability for abuses remain ongoing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the fragile security situation in Sudan and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The targeting of critical infrastructure like the Um Alileh fuel depot exacerbates the humanitarian challenges faced by civilians in the region.
Key points
- The drone attack caused significant damage to the Um Alileh fuel depot, a strategic facility used for storing and distributing petroleum products in central Sudan.
