Sudan's government has accused neighbouring Ethiopia of involvement in a series of drone attacks on civilian infrastructure. The accusations were made at a news conference in Khartoum attended by officials from various ministries and the General Intelligence Service. Fragments of drones allegedly intercepted by the army were displayed, along with flight-path data identifying launch sites inside Ethiopia.
The latest drone strikes hit a power station in El Manaqil, Gezira state, causing a blackout in the town and surrounding areas. The army-aligned government also reported strikes on fuel storage facilities and a pipeline linked to Bashayer Port in Red Sea state. On Tuesday, a drone strike knocked out the Markhiyat power station northwest of Omdurman, disrupting electricity supplies across parts of the greater Khartoum area.
Sudanese officials reported that the country's electricity infrastructure had been attacked seven times within a week. The government stated that other strikes had targeted civilian sites in multiple states, including hospitals, mosques, and residential neighbourhoods. These attacks have raised concerns about the impact on essential services and agricultural production.
Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Muawiya Osman Khalid urged the international community not to overlook what he described as Ethiopian-Emirati aggression against Sudan. Khalid said Sudan reserves the right to defend its territory, accusing Ethiopia and the UAE of enabling attacks on Sudanese soil.
The Sudanese government displayed what it described as technical data and satellite imagery linking the drone launches to Ethiopian territory, including Bahir Dar Airport. However, Radio Tamazuj could not independently verify the evidence or establish the origin of the drones. The Ethiopian government could not immediately be reached for comment.
Sudan has been at war since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has devastated infrastructure and displaced millions of people. The government has expressed concerns that the drone strikes could hinder the return of people displaced by the conflict.
Undersecretary of Information Graham Abdel Qader said the attacks threaten essential services and agricultural production. He accused those responsible for the strikes of deliberately targeting civilians. The Sudanese government is seeking international attention and support in addressing the issue of drone strikes on its territory.
Key points
- Sudan accuses Ethiopia of involvement in drone strikes on civilian infrastructure.
- The drone strikes have targeted power stations, fuel facilities, and civilian sites in multiple states.
- Sudan reserves the right to defend its territory, accusing Ethiopia and the UAE of enabling attacks on Sudanese soil.
