A drone attack on an electricity substation in the northern Sudanese city of Shendi caused a citywide blackout early Friday, as a series of strikes on power infrastructure disrupted electricity supplies across several parts of the war-torn country.
Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that they heard explosions and saw smoke rising from the facility in River Nile state. Videos circulated on social media appeared to show a fire at the site.
Sudanese authorities had not immediately commented on the attack or confirmed the extent of the damage.
The incident followed drone strikes on Thursday targeting the Umm Dabakir thermal power station in White Nile state and the Kadugli power station in South Kordofan.
On Wednesday, drones struck the Al-Managil power station and other facilities in Gezira state, disrupting electricity supplies to the city.
Sudan’s Energy and Petroleum Ministry had earlier reported widespread power outages in several states, including Khartoum and River Nile, following a drone attack on Tuesday. The ministry blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the strike.
On Monday, Sudan Electricity Holding Company also accused the RSF of targeting five electricity substations in Sennar, Gedaref and Gezira states.
Sudanese authorities and human rights organisations have repeatedly accused the RSF of attacking civilian infrastructure. The group has generally not responded to individual allegations and maintains that it seeks to protect civilians.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF over disputes concerning the integration of the country’s military forces.
The war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced approximately 13 million, deepening an already severe humanitarian and hunger crisis.
The continuing attacks on electricity infrastructure threaten to further disrupt essential services for civilians struggling with the consequences of the prolonged conflict.