Description: Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have conducted drone strikes on Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, killing five civilians. The frontline in the civil war has recently spread across the central and southeastern Kordofan and Blue Nile state as both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) primarily leverage airstrikes as the main offensive tool. The country’s devastated economy suffered another setback as many imports were banned by the government in Khartoum in order to stabilize the currency. The civilian population across the entire country continues to absorb the brunt of the wartime consequences as basic living conditions are impossible to maintain due to the constant attacks.
Impact: The drone strikes are likely a precursor for an additional ground offensive elsewhere in the country as the RSF is aiming to demonstrate its aerial military capabilities by striking the SAF’s stronghold. Recent confrontations in the Blue Nile and Kordofan, marked by intense cross border fighting in South Sudan and incursions by armed militants supporting the RSF through Ethiopia are likely to continue raising the risk of a multi – vectored war that spreads across regional borders. Sudan’s economic measures to cut imports in order to stabilize its currency are likely a desperate measure to achieve some form of temporary economic reprieve in times of crisis. The war is likely to continue to escalate with the use of drones being the focal point of military offensives on both sides.