SUDAN’S biggest port has been struck by drones as violence in the country continues to escalate.

Port Sudan is the de facto capital of the country’s military-led government, which has been fighting paramilitaries Rapid Support Force in a conflict that began in 2023.

Lloyd’s Agents based in Sudan told Lloyd’s List that RSF targeted gas and petrol storage facilities at the southern portion of the port using drones on Tuesday, May 6.

Operations in the northern port are currently suspended, while all vessels have departed the southern port and staff evacuated.

Port Sudan has been targeted by attacks since Sunday, May 4, despite remaining relatively unscathed from the war that has been raging for more than two years now.

Operated by state-owned Sea Ports Corp, it has an annual capacity of around 1m teu, as well as a dry bulk handling capacity of several million tonnes.

Speaking to reporters in New York on Monday, May 5, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said the attacks on Port Sudan were a “worrying development threatening the protection of civilians and humanitarian operations”.

The UN estimates the war has displaced 8.6m people since it began in 2023, with thousands killed as a result.

“We call on all parties to this conflict to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targeted,” Haq said.

“Wars have rules and international humanitarian law must be respected.”