Sudan’s Army Chief Defiant After Drone Strike Attack

Sudan’s Army Chief Defiant After Drone Strike Attack

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, remained defiant after a drone struck an army base he was visiting in eastern Sudan on Wednesday, casting doubt on efforts to end the 15-month civil war.

The attack occurred at a graduation ceremony at the Gibeit army base, approximately 100 km from Port Sudan in Red Sea state, resulting in five fatalities. Burhan, who was present at the base during the attack, stayed in the area and returned to speak to the troops, contradicting earlier reports of his departure.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army’s rival in the ongoing conflict, denied involvement in the drone strike. Following the attack, Burhan, dressed in combat attire, addressed soldiers, asserting, “We will not retreat, we will not give up, and we will not negotiate with any entity.”

Drone strikes have recently hit other locations, including Kosti, Rabak, and Kenana in southern White Nile state, and al-Damer, north of the capital. The RSF has not commented on these incidents.

The civil war, which began in April 2023, has caused a massive humanitarian crisis, with half the population facing hunger and over 10 million people displaced. Recent RSF incursions into southeastern Sennar state and other areas have further escalated the conflict. Previous ceasefire efforts have failed, and upcoming talks in Switzerland, co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, are seen as a crucial opportunity to negotiate peace.