Sudanese army says it shot down drones over Khartoum airport

October 24, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army’s anti-aircraft and air defence systems on Friday intercepted drones that attempted to target Khartoum’s international airport for the fourth consecutive day, military sources said.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been attacking the airport since Tuesday, following an announcement by the Civil Aviation Authority that it would reopen. The airport was scheduled to resume domestic flights on Wednesday as a first step.

On the day it was set to reopen, a civilian aircraft belonging to the private Badr Airlines landed and took off immediately.

Sources at Khartoum airport told Sudan Tribune that the army’s ground-based anti-aircraft defences successfully intercepted the drones before they reached the airport.

Eyewitnesses in southern Khartoum reported hearing the sound of anti-aircraft fire engaging with drones in the area, as well as the sound of explosions.

In Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile state in the country’s southeast, RSF drones were also reported in the early hours of Friday morning. The army’s anti-aircraft systems engaged them to prevent them from reaching any targets.

In the past two days, RSF drone attacks in Damazin have damaged a power station near the Roseires Dam.