A drone attack early Tuesday morning near Khartoum International Airport has raised fresh concerns over Sudan’s plans to reopen the airport for domestic flights a move that was set to mark a symbolic step toward recovery after more than two and a half years of civil war.
Residents in central and southern Khartoum reported hearing drones overhead, followed by multiple explosions between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m. local time.
Reopening Plans Threatened
The attack occurred just one day after Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority announced that domestic flights would resume on Wednesday, October 22, following what officials described as the completion of “necessary technical and operational arrangements.”
If successful, the reopening would have been the first since April 2023, when violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) forced the airport’s closure.
In March, the army claimed it had eliminated the last RSF positions in Khartoum province and reestablished control over the airport and nearby infrastructure.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The civil war in Sudan continues to exact a devastating human toll. According to United Nations estimates, more than 20,000 people have been killed and 14 million displaced. However, recent studies by U.S. universities suggest that the true death toll could be as high as 130,000.
Fragile Security Despite Government Claims
The latest drone strike highlights the persistent instability in and around Khartoum, despite government claims of restored order. The incident casts serious doubt on whether authorities can safely reopen the airport or sustain even limited flight operations amid ongoing hostilities.
