PORT SUDAN, Sudan (Ai-Yurae) — The Sudanese military has relocated its warplanes to neighboring Eritrea following a series of drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that have targeted both civilian and military sites in Port Sudan since early May. Security sources, as reported by Sudan News, said the decision came after intensified airstrikes that prompted authorities to take precautionary measures to safeguard military assets.
The move reflects mounting concerns over a potential escalation in hostilities as drone warfare becomes increasingly prevalent in the conflict. Eritrea has reportedly provided military support to Sudan, including deploying warships along the Sudanese coast and hosting Sudanese fighter jets at its airfields.
Additionally, Eritrea has trained thousands of fighters from Darfur’s armed movements, many of whom later joined joint forces engaged in battles across Kordofan and Darfur.
Airspace Threatened with Closure
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan, the country’s airspace has remained largely closed to both international and domestic flights, a situation exacerbated by the destruction of Khartoum International Airport in the early days of the conflict by RSF forces. Despite repeated promises to reopen the airport once Khartoum is recaptured, persistent security concerns and high reconstruction costs have delayed any progress. With the increasing use of drones to target civilian and military locations, the prospect of reopening Khartoum International Airport or fully resuming Sudanese airspace operations remains uncertain.
Authorities have warned that continued drone attacks could force a complete closure of the country’s airspace, further isolating Sudan amid ongoing turmoil. The developments come as Sudan faces a rapidly evolving military and political landscape, with regional actors closely watching the implications for broader stability in the Horn of Africa
