Drone attacks strike Sudan's Blue Nile state capital near Ethiopian border

Unmanned aerial vehicle attacks have targeted Blue Nile state's capital as fighting intensifies across the border region between Sudan, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The strikes represent a significant escalation in the use of drone technology by non-state armed groups operating in the contested territory.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) maintain control over southern portions of Blue Nile state, a strategically important area rich in resources and spanning multiple international boundaries. The deployment of drones signals a shift in tactical capabilities among the paramilitary organisations involved in the regional conflict.

The Blue Nile region has become increasingly unstable following the broader conflict that has engulfed Sudan in recent years. The presence of multiple armed groups competing for control has complicated humanitarian access and displaced tens of thousands of civilians from their homes.

International observers have expressed concern about the expanding military capabilities of non-state actors in East Africa, particularly the acquisition and deployment of unmanned systems. The situation underscores the fragmented security landscape across Sudan's border regions and the challenges facing regional stability efforts.