A senior UN expert has raised alarm over rising drone strikes in Sudan, warning of severe consequences for civilians. The attacks have recently intensified in Port Sudan and other regions, threatening vital infrastructure and deepening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Radhouane Nouicer, the UN-designated expert on human rights in Sudan, expressed serious concern on 19 May 2025 about the escalation of violence in the Red Sea state. The conflict, now entering its third year, has expanded to include advanced long-range drone strikes, allegedly launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“These drone attacks are a major escalation,” said Nouicer. “They place civilian lives at risk, worsen the crisis, and threaten basic human rights.”
Since April 2023, Port Sudan has served as a humanitarian lifeline and shelter for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, since 4 May, the city has witnessed a sharp rise in drone strikes targeting key infrastructure. The main electricity substation, fuel storage depots, gas facilities, and even the international airport have been hit, disrupting essential services and forcing fresh waves of displacement.
The strikes have had far-reaching impacts. Power outages and fuel shortages have crippled access to food, clean water, and health care. Hospitals in Port Sudan and Kassala are now operating at reduced capacity due to lack of electricity and medical supplies.
“This destruction is devastating,” Nouicer warned. “Attacking civilian infrastructure is a clear violation of international law. These actions must stop.”
The UN expert also noted a troubling pattern. Similar attacks have been reported in Northern, River Nile, and White Nile states, suggesting a coordinated campaign to cripple Sudan’s essential services.
Nouicer urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law. “Civilians and their infrastructure must never be targets,” he stated. “Warring sides must prioritise protection, avoid civilian harm, and uphold the principles of proportionality and precaution.”
As the conflict expands eastward, Sudan’s civilian population continues to bear the brunt. Humanitarian operations are under severe threat, and the path to peace grows more difficult each day.
