Sudan drone strikes knock out power in three eastern states

The Rapid Support Forces launched a coordinated drone attack on five power stations in eastern Sudan, causing widespread blackouts across Al-Jazira, Gedaref, and White Nile states. A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the drones struck two stations in Al-Jazira, two in Gedaref, and one in White Nile. The official stated that the strikes resulted in power outages across large parts of these three territories.

All three affected states remain under the control of the Sudanese army, which has fought the RSF since April 2023. The paramilitary group has increasingly relied on drones to wage the conflict, with both sides launching sophisticated attacks that have killed dozens of civilians in single incidents. A United Nations tally indicates that drone strikes killed more than 300 people and injured hundreds in the first three weeks of October 2026.

The outages have immediate consequences for residents who depend on electricity for essential services. Babiker Youssef, a resident of Al-Fao in Gedaref, reported that the power had been out since early morning. He explained that his son is diabetic and requires refrigeration for his insulin. Youssef expressed fear that the medication would spoil if the power did not return, adding that there was no indication of when the grid would be restored.

In Al-Jazira, the strikes have reversed recent progress in agricultural recovery. Abdelhafez Daafallah, a 54-year-old farmer in Al-Junaid, noted that electricity had only begun to stabilize three months prior. He said the power station had just been repaired, offering hope that irrigation pumps would function again. Daafallah described his frustration at being unable to work his land for nearly four years, stating that the militia's destruction of the newly repaired station ended that hope.

Business owners in Gedaref are facing financial losses as stock spoils. Ibrahim Mohammed, a 37-year-old grocer, said he was already experiencing multi-hour power cuts before the latest attack. He explained that he now has chicken in his refrigerator that must be either lost or sold at a loss. The local economy is also strained by inflation and a currency that lost more than 25% of its value in recent weeks.

The United Nations has warned that regular attacks on power infrastructure threaten health and services for millions of people. Sudan, home to an estimated 50 million people, is currently facing the world's largest hunger crisis. Aid workers estimate that the war has killed more than 200,000 people, and the majority of the country's hospitals have closed. At least 8 million children are currently out of school, and many regions lack access to basic services.