In the midst of ongoing conflict, Sudan faces a severe humanitarian crisis as a recent drone strike on a vital power plant has left major cities shrouded in darkness. This attack not only exemplifies the intense violence that has surged since the civil war erupted in April 2023, but also highlights the dire consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. As the situation escalates, the need for global awareness and support for Sudan grows more urgent than ever.
Major cities across Sudan, including the capital, Khartoum, and the coastal city of Port Sudan, have been plunged into darkness following drone strikes on a crucial power plant in the eastern region of the country. Flames and smoke were seen billowing from the facility in Atbara, River Nile state, which is currently under the control of the government-aligned Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and has come under attack from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid the persistent civil war gripping the nation.
Verified footage circulating on social media shows the power station ablaze after the strikes, which have become increasingly frequent as the conflict intensifies. According to officials at the power plant, two civil defense members lost their lives while trying to extinguish the fire, and several rescue workers were injured during a subsequent strike.
Initial reports from residents indicated that the blackout might be a routine issue; however, they soon learned it was connected to the strikes in Atbara, approximately 320km (about 230 miles) from the capital. Observers note that these drone attacks aim to undermine public trust in the government and highlight the insecurity that citizens face under the military regime.
This recent escalation is part of a broader, devastating drone campaign that has resulted in the deaths of at least 104 civilians in Sudan’s Kordofan region since early December. A particularly tragic incident occurred in Kalogi, South Kordofan, where a strike on a kindergarten and hospital led to the deaths of 89 individuals, including 43 children and eight women.
Additionally, on December 13, six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed during a drone attack on their base in Kadugli, prompting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to warn that targeting peacekeepers could constitute war crimes under international law. The violence continued on December 14 when the Dilling Military Hospital was struck, claiming at least six lives and injuring others, primarily medical staff, in the process.
The use of drones has surged significantly among both the SAF and RSF in recent months. Data from the US-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies suggests that out of 484 drone strikes recorded across 13 African countries in 2024, over half, specifically 264, occurred in Sudan. By March 2025, this trend intensified, with the SAF claiming to have downed more than 100 drones within just ten days.
The conflict, which escalated following a power struggle between the SAF and RSF in April 2023, has inflicted catastrophic consequences upon the nation. Estimates indicate the war has led to more than 100,000 fatalities, with the actual toll still uncertain. The United Nations classifies the situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 14 million people and leaving 30 million in dire need of assistance.
In a stark acknowledgment of Sudan’s worsening plight, the International Rescue Committee listed the country at the top of its Emergency Watchlist for the third year running, underscoring a critical 50 percent reduction in global humanitarian funding. A recent poll by the Thomson Reuters Foundation revealed that humanitarian organizations deem Sudan the most neglected crisis of 2025.
Furthermore, World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported over 1,600 fatalities resulting from 65 attacks on medical facilities throughout Sudan this year, emphasizing that each attack further restricts access to essential health services. Meanwhile, Seif Magango, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights office, disclosed alarming escalations in sexual violence, particularly against women who suffer tremendously during the conflict.
As the fighting has shifted from Darfur to central regions, control of the territory remains divided between the RSF and SAF. A recent report from Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab indicated that RSF forces are actively engaged in a systematic campaign to erase evidence of mass killings in el-Fasher, employing methods such as burial and burning of human remains.
This harrowing scenario illustrates the urgent need for global attention and humanitarian assistance to support the people of Sudan, who continue to endure profound challenges amid escalating violence.
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