Sudanese army says it thwarted RSF Drone attack on Merowe dam

Sudan’s armed forces announced on Monday that they had intercepted multiple explosive drones targeting the Merowe Dam and nearby military installations in the country’s north.

In a statement, the army’s 19th Infantry Division said its air defense systems successfully downed drones launched by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The drones were reportedly aimed at the Merowe Dam, Sudan’s largest hydroelectric facility, as well as a nearby air base and the division’s headquarters in Northern State.

According to the military, all the drones were neutralized before reaching their targets, and no casualties or material damage were recorded. As reported by Sudan Tribune, the army warned that the RSF has increasingly relied on drones to strike strategic infrastructure, particularly energy facilities across central, eastern, and northern Sudan. Officials say these attacks have caused repeated power outages and damage that authorities have struggled to repair amid ongoing fighting.

The Merowe Dam is a critical asset for Sudan, supplying the bulk of the country’s hydroelectric power. Any successful strike on the facility could have severe consequences for electricity supply.

The attempted attack comes amid a broader surge in drone operations by the RSF, signaling a shift in tactics and an expansion of the conflict into areas previously considered relatively safe.

On 3 May 2025, the RSF launched drones targeting a fuel storage tank at Kassala Airport in eastern Sudan. The attack marked the first use of drones in Kassala since the outbreak of the war. Two days later, on 5 May, RSF drones struck Port Sudan New International Airport and nearby fuel depots. The attacks prompted condemnation from the United Nations, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, as Port Sudan serves as a vital hub for relief efforts and international access.

One of the most devastating drone attacks occurred on 18 December 2025, when an RSF drone strike hit the Atbara power plant in River Nile State. The assault triggered widespread blackouts across Khartoum and Port Sudan, with flames and thick smoke engulfing the facility. Civilians were reportedly killed in the attack, highlighting the growing toll on non-combatants.

The Atbara strike demonstrated a shift toward using drones not only against military targets but also to cripple critical civilian infrastructure, deepening Sudan’s humanitarian and economic crisis. As drone attacks become more frequent and sophisticated, its widely believed that Sudan’s war is entering a new phase, with foreign-supplied drone technology playing an increasingly central role.