The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched a fourth consecutive day of drone attacks on Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, targeting key areas around Khartoum International Airport, as uncertainty deepens over when the airport will reopen after years of war.
Residents reported hearing drones and surface-to-air missiles over the capital in the early hours of Friday morning, followed by a series of loud explosions near the airport. While it remains unclear whether the airport itself was directly hit, witnesses described intense bombardments that shook neighborhoods already devastated by months of conflict.
Airport Reopening Postponed Amid Renewed Violence
The airport was scheduled to reopen this week after being closed for nearly two years, following the eruption of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023. A Badr Airlines flight briefly landed on Wednesday, signaling hope for renewed air operations. However, an airport official confirmed that reopening plans have been postponed “until further notice” due to ongoing RSF attacks.
“Despite authorities saying that operations will resume on October 26, there are growing concerns this will not happen,” reported Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan from Khartoum.
The RSF assaults, which began on Tuesday, have effectively stalled progress toward the full restoration of civil aviation and humanitarian air corridors—vital for the delivery of aid to the millions displaced by the conflict.
War’s Human and Economic Toll
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF has plunged the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Since the war began in April 2023, tens of thousands have been killed, over 12 million displaced, and more than 30 million people left in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
Although the Sudanese military regained control of Khartoum in March, the city remains scarred by destruction and insecurity. Residents who have returned describe collapsed homes, looted neighborhoods, and unlivable conditions.
“I built my house when I was working abroad,” said Alfatih Bashir, a resident of Omdurman. “Now it’s destroyed. I have no money to rebuild, no work, and barely enough food for my family.”
Another resident, Afaf Khamed, said she fainted upon seeing her home reduced to rubble. “This is where we were born, where our family celebrated weddings. Now it’s gone, and we have no one to help us rebuild.”
Economic Collapse and Reconstruction Struggles
The Sudanese pound has plummeted from 600 per US dollar in 2023 to 3,500 in 2025, making reconstruction efforts nearly impossible. Inflation and shortages of basic goods have devastated what remains of the economy.
Local merchants say building materials are scarce and costly, often delayed by security checks and transportation disruptions. “Fewer and fewer people come to buy,” said shop owner Mohammed Ali, noting that demand for construction supplies has collapsed.
Although Sudan’s transitional government has pledged to rebuild Khartoum, its focus remains on restoring state institutions rather than helping ordinary citizens.
Global and Regional Implications
The renewed RSF drone attacks highlight the ongoing fragility of Sudan’s security landscape despite claims of progress by the central government. Analysts warn that the continued militarization of the skies could hinder humanitarian operations and deepen Sudan’s isolation.
International observers, including the United Nations and African Union, have expressed concern that the latest escalation could derail peace efforts and prolong instability in the region.
Key Takeaways
- RSF targets Khartoum and airport with drones for fourth consecutive day.
- Reopening of Khartoum International Airport delayed indefinitely.
- 12 million Sudanese displaced; 30 million in need of aid.
- Economic collapse worsens as rebuilding remains stalled.
- Global community calls for de-escalation and humanitarian access.
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