Drone Strikes Near Khartoum Airport: An Ongoing Conflict Unfolds
The early morning air in Khartoum was anything but serene as the familiar hum of drones pierced the pre-dawn sky on Tuesday. Another chapter in Sudan’s ongoing conflict was being written, just ahead of the planned reopening of the capital’s main international airport, a key symbol of a war-torn nation’s struggle to normalize after over two years of brutal fighting.
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A City on Edge
For the residents of Khartoum, Tuesday began with a stark reminder of their fragile reality. “I awoke to the unsettling sound of drones, followed by loud explosions,” shared Ahmed, a resident of the densely populated Al-Azhari neighborhood. Similar accounts echoed across the city, painting a vivid picture of a populace living in anticipation of the unexpected.
The intended reopening of Khartoum International Airport had been a significant milestone. Announced just a day prior by Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority, it was a beacon of hope—a tentative first step towards restoring domestic connectivity. Yet, these early morning drone strikes threaten to overshadow progress, casting long shadows of uncertainty.
The Heart of the Conflict
Khartoum, the epicenter of Sudan’s recent turmoil, continues to bear the scars of a prolonged conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since fighting broke out in April 2023, the city has seen its infrastructure crippled, its streets deserted, and its people displaced in vast numbers. The international airport, closed for the duration of the conflict, stands as a symbol of these broader challenges.
Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visible at the airport later that morning, declared a stern resolve: “We are determined to crush this rebellion.” His words resonate in a country torn by allegiances and power struggles, where the RSF, led by former ally Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, remains a formidable force.
Struggles Beyond the Capital
Khartoum is not alone in its suffering. Reports of drone strikes in northern Omdurman, where major military installations reside, further emphasize the conflict’s reach. “I watched from a distance as drones headed towards Wadi Sayedna base, marking the horizon with explosions,” recounted a witness. This unending cycle of violence is mirrored in other regions, notably Darfur, where the RSF has laid siege to El-Fasher, the last significant city not under their control.
The United Nations has issued stark warnings as violence escalates across North and West Darfur. The humanitarian impact is destabilizing, leading to critical shortages and the displacement of millions. With an estimated 12 million individuals forced from their homes and countless lives lost, Sudan’s crisis underscores what the UN considers the world’s largest displacement and hunger emergency.
Rebuilding Amidst Ruins
Efforts to stabilize and rebuild are ongoing. The government, backed by the army, has initiated reconstruction programs and relocated officials back to Khartoum from Port Sudan. The steady return of over a million people in recent months highlights a collective yearning for peace and normalcy.
Yet, challenges remain. Large portions of Khartoum lay in ruins, power outages are routine, exacerbated by persistent RSF attacks, and the road to recovery is fraught with obstacles. “We must rebuild not just the physical, but the very trust and structure of our nation,” Burhan emphasized.
Global Implications and Reflections
Sudan’s struggles are a microcosm of broader global dynamics. The use of modern warfare tactics, such as drone strikes, echoes worldwide shifts toward technological conflict. The international community watches, questions mounting about intervention, support, and the efficacy of diplomacy. Sudan’s neighbors, too, monitor the situation warily, mindful of potential regional ramifications.
How does a nation move forward when past alliances have fractured so severely? Can Sudan find a path towards genuine reconciliation and rebirth amidst such enduring division? The answers remain uncertain, but the eyes of the world are turned towards this crucible of conflict and hope.
The days to come will reveal whether the reopening of Khartoum’s skies is merely a fleeting vision or a step towards a more stable reality. As Sudan inches towards that possibility, its people remain resilient, yearning for a peace as tangible as the morning sun piercing this latest darkness.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
