Sudan’s ongoing conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has escalated with recent drone strikes causing significant casualties and infrastructure disruption. On Monday evening, a drone targeted a market in Nyala, the administrative center of the RSF in the Darfur region, killing 21 people and injuring more than 40, according to medical personnel and eyewitnesses. The market, situated in the northern part of the city, is frequented by young men, including RSF fighters, though the exact number of combatants among the casualties has not been confirmed.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023, the military and RSF have regularly exchanged attacks, with the military focused on exerting control over RSF-held areas like Nyala, where the paramilitary group has established a rival administration to the internationally recognized government based in Khartoum. The RSF, in turn, has repeatedly targeted key installations in Khartoum, including the airport and other strategic sites.

On Tuesday, RSF drones struck the Al-Markhiyat transformer station in Khartoum, causing widespread power outages across parts of the capital and neighboring Al-Jazeera state. A source from the national electricity company, speaking anonymously, confirmed the attack disrupted electricity supply across large areas.

Both sides have used drone strikes as part of their offensive strategies, underscoring the intensifying nature of the conflict that continues to affect civilians and critical infrastructure across Sudan. The attacks reflect the deepening crisis in the country, where political and military rivalries have led to severe humanitarian and security challenges.