Drone strikes by Rapid Support Forces cut power across southeast Sudan

Reuters: Reuters is a global news agency providing coverage of international events, including conflicts in Africa. It published this report on the drone strikes in Sudan based on statements from the state electricity company. The article includes reporting, writing, and editing contributions from its correspondents and staff. Mohamed Ezz: Mohamed Ezz is a writer who prepared the Reuters article detailing the Rapid Support Forces’ alleged role in the Sudan power infrastructure attacks. Andrew Heavens: Andrew Heavens is an editor who handled the final preparation of the Reuters story on the drone strikes affecting southeast Sudan. Khalid Abdelaziz: Khalid Abdelaziz is a journalist who contributed reporting for this Reuters article on the power outages in Sudan caused by drone strikes. Rapid Support Forces: The Rapid Support Forces is a Sudanese paramilitary group that emerged from Janjaweed militias and operates primarily in western Sudan. It has been engaged in a civil war with the Sudanese army since April 2023 over issues including the integration of forces into a planned civilian government transition. In this incident, the group is accused by Sudan’s state electricity operator of launching drone strikes that damaged power stations and cut electricity across multiple states. Sudan Electricity Holding Company: Sudan Electricity Holding Company is the state-owned operator responsible for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across Sudan. It reported the power outages and attributed the attacks on its facilities to the Rapid Support Forces. The company highlighted severe damage to stations in several states and warned of threats to the national grid’s stability. Civil War Duration: Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting a civil war since April 2023. Humanitarian Concerns: The United Nations has warned that strikes on power infrastructure endanger health and other essential services for millions already affected by the conflict. Infrastructure Impact: Attacks on power stations in Sennar, Al Qadarif, White Nile, and Gezira states have cut electricity across roughly half the territory held by the military.