A series of drone attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left most army-controlled areas in Sudan without electricity.
The blackouts, which began on Monday, have affected the northern state after an attack on the Merowe Dam, and later spread to Gedaref, Kassala, and Sennar states following an overnight attack on the al-Shouk power station.
The affected areas are home to millions of internally displaced people, putting a strain on living space and infrastructure. Human rights group Emergency Lawyers warned that the attacks threaten civilian lives, particularly in hospitals, schools, and water facilities.
“These attacks deprive civilians of their basic rights and increase the risk of escalated violence,” they added.
The ongoing war in Sudan has displaced over 12 million people, with approximately 24.6 million Sudanese urgently needing food aid through May. Residents in Omdurman reported shuttered bakeries and people resorting to drawing water from the Nile River.
Engineers are working to restore power at the Merowe power station, but their efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
This development comes amid a broader telecommunications blackout in Sudan, which has severely impacted humanitarian efforts and civilians’ ability to communicate with their families and access basic necessities.
