RSF drone strikes hit five Sudan power stations, cutting eastern grid
RSF drones hit five power stations in army-held Al-Jazira, Gedaref and White Nile states, causing mass outages as residents fear spoiled medicine and food.
The story in focus
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces launched coordinated drone strikes on five power stations in three army-controlled states, a government official said. The attacks caused mass power outages across Al-Jazira, Gedaref and White Nile, disrupting insulin storage, irrigation and food supplies as the UN warns such strikes threaten health services.
- Drones hit two power stations each in Al-Jazira and Gedaref and one in White Nile, a government official said on condition of anonymity.
- All three affected states are controlled by the Sudanese army, at war with the RSF since April 2023.
- Residents cited risks to insulin storage, irrigation pumps and refrigerated food stocks.
- The UN says attacks on power stations threaten health and services amid the world's largest hunger crisis.
- UN tally: drone strikes killed more than 300 people in the first three weeks of October.
Strikes and outages
The Guardian reported that the Rapid Support Forces launched a coordinated drone attack on five power stations. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said drones hit two stations each in Al-Jazira and Gedaref and one in White Nile state, causing outages across large parts of the three states.
All three are held by the Sudanese army, which has fought the RSF since April 2023. The Guardian reported that power has previously been cut for days after strikes on stations and hydroelectric dams.
Residents and services at risk
Babiker Youssef, a resident of Al-Fao in Gedaref, told The Guardian power had been out since early morning and that his son's insulin requires refrigeration. Grocer Ibrahim Mohammed said he faced losing or selling off refrigerated chicken stock. Farmer Abdelhafez Daafallah said a repaired station in Al-Jazira had offered hope for irrigation pumps before the strike.
The UN has warned that regular attacks on power stations threaten health and services for millions facing the world's largest hunger crisis. According to a UN tally, drone strikes killed more than 300 people in the first three weeks of October.
War's wider toll
The Guardian reported that Sudan's war is now fought primarily with drones, both sides killing dozens of civilians at a time. Aid workers estimate the war has killed more than 200,000 people; most hospitals have closed, at least 8 million children are out of school and swathes of the country lack basic services.
Which areas lost power after the reported drone strikes?
A government official said drones hit five stations in Al-Jazira, Gedaref and White Nile states, causing outages across large parts of those army-controlled areas. The RSF did not comment in the report.
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