Drone swarm strikes Sudan’s Ed Damazin amid escalating Blue Nile front
September 13, 2026 (ED DAMAZIN) – A wave of explosive-laden drones struck several areas across Ed Damazin, the capital of Sudan’s Blue Nile region, on Sunday evening, according to witnesses, amid active air defence fire and reports of widespread alarm among residents.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have escalated their deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles along the Blue Nile axis in recent hours, alongside troop mobilizations pointing to potential broad ground offensives across southern and western sectors of the region.
Earlier on Sunday, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) said in a statement that its air defence units shot down a drone attempting to hit army positions in the town of Balang. Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
Witnesses told Sudan Tribune that the RSF carried out the evening strikes across Ed Damazin using multiple one-way attack drones.
Residents said they heard at least 11 detonations as projectiles hit near a military hospital and Ed Damazin airport. One drone hit a fuel station, while army anti-aircraft guns opened fire to repel the attack.
A military spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the extent of casualties or damage.
The Sudanese government has accused neighbouring Ethiopia of stoking violence along the Blue Nile front by offering military assistance to the RSF and facilitating cross-border movements to target sites inside Sudan.
Khartoum has also alleged that Ethiopia hosts training facilities for foreign fighters operating alongside the RSF, while making available airstrips for drones and transport flights originating from bases operated by the United Arab Emirates in Somalia and Libya. The Ethiopian government has denied the accusations, while the UAE has repeatedly rejected claims that it supplies military aid to the RSF.
Fighting across southern and western districts of the Blue Nile region has uprooted thousands of civilians from Kurmuk and Geissan, driving waves of displaced families toward Ed Damazin.