On 15 April 2023, armed clashes between the Rapid Support Forces and the regular army in the Sudanese capital Khartoum were reported. Later, the fighting between the military forces spread to other Sudanese regions.

Drone Attacks Reportedly Cause Widespread Blackouts in Sudan

12:01, 19 January 2025

Christina Glazkova

Writer / Editor

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The outages began on Monday after attacks on the Merowe Dam, Sudan’s largest, disrupted power to the northern state, media reported. Technical issues also affected the River Nile and Red Sea states. By Saturday, the blackouts had spread to Gedaref, Kassala, and Sennar states following an overnight attack on the al-Shouk power station.

Sputnik

Most army-controlled areas in Sudan are experiencing blackouts following drone attacks on key power generation facilities by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), media reported on Saturday, citing government officials and residents.

The impacted areas include regions still under army control, while the RSF controls much of western Sudan. The nearly two-year conflict between the two sides has already disrupted electricity generation in most RSF-controlled areas, according to reports.

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The blackouts are affecting millions of internally displaced people, placing additional strain on living conditions and infrastructure. In Omdurman, part of the greater Khartoum area, bakery closures and a reliance on Nile River water have been reported.

The conflict has displaced over 12 million people in Sudan, and around 24.6 million, nearly half the population, require urgent food aid, according to the UN World Food Programme. Efforts to restore operations at the Merowe power station are ongoing, but have so far been unsuccessful, media reported.