RSF escalates conflict with drone strikes in Port Sudan

In March 2025, Sudan's government forces regained control over the capital city of Khartoum and maintained dominance over Port Sudan, a strategic location for logistics and humanitarian activities. After two years of fierce conflict against the insurgent Rapid Support Forces (RSF), there was an indication that the government forces were gaining an advantage. However, in May 2025, the RSF initiated daily drone strikes targeting Port Sudan, a region previously considered relatively safe from fighting. This shift in warfare reflects the evolving nature of conflict not just in Sudan, but globally, as drones become more accessible and prevalent in combat scenarios. The drones employed in these strikes were reported to be Chinese-made, allegedly supplied to the RSF through exports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the UAE officially denies support for the RSF, investigations by the United Nations and other independent media outlets have highlighted consistent shipments of military equipment from the UAE to the insurgent forces. This has strained relations, resulting in Sudan severing all diplomatic ties with the UAE, amidst accusations of their involvement in the conflict and claims made by survivors emphasizing the UAE's significant role in orchestrating the drone strikes. Both government forces and the RSF face allegations of war crimes; however, the RSF is uniquely accused of genocide against civilians. On January 7, 2025, the United States formally recognized that a genocide had occurred in the context of the Sudanese civil war, attributing those actions primarily to the RSF. Subsequent to these serious accusations, Sudan sought to hold the UAE legally accountable by filing genocide allegations with the International Court of Justice. However, on May 5, 2025, the court dismissed the case due to a lack of jurisdiction over the matter. As fighting escalates, humanitarian conditions in Sudan have worsened drastically. An estimated 25 million civilians are now in dire need of emergency food assistance, while over 11.5 million individuals have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing violence. The conflict has led to a catastrophic toll, with as many as 150,000 fatalities reported over the two-year period of warfare between government and RSF forces, highlighting both the human cost of the civil war and the urgent need for international intervention to address the growing humanitarian crisis.