Sudan army fends off RSF drone swarm targeting Merowe airport

November 29, 2024 (MEROWE) – Sudan’s army said on Friday it had neutralized a wave of “suicide drones” launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) against Merowe Airport in the north of the country.

This marks the third such attack on airports with military activity since the outbreak of conflict in April.

The assault, involving 16 drones, commenced at 11 p.m. local time (2100 GMT) on Thursday and persisted until 4 a.m. (0200 GMT) on Friday, according to an army statement.

Anti-aircraft defenses were deployed to counter the drones, and residents in Merowe and surrounding villages reported hearing anti-aircraft fire and at least one explosion, as per accounts given to Sudan Tribune.

“Enemy forces targeted Merowe Airport … with 16 suicide drones,” the army statement declared. “Anti-aircraft guns and electronic jamming systems successfully intercepted and downed all of them without any casualties or equipment losses.”

The RSF has escalated its use of drone attacks against military installations and airports it alleges are being utilized for military purposes.

Merowe Airport, situated approximately 350 km (217 miles) north of the capital Khartoum, was a flashpoint for intense fighting at the onset of the conflict on April 15.

The RSF launched an offensive on the airport, claiming the presence of Egyptian Air Force personnel supporting the Sudanese army. The clashes culminated in the RSF’s withdrawal.

A source informed Sudan Tribune that the RSF has also been conducting drone strikes against Atbara Airport in River Nile State for approximately 10 days, aiming to destroy advanced army drones.

Last week, the RSF asserted it had attacked the Wadi Saeida military base north of Omdurman in Khartoum state with drones, claiming to have obliterated several warplanes. However, credible information obtained by Sudan Tribune indicated that only one fighter jet as damaged in the attack.

(ST)