Sudan: 550 Families Displaced, Shipping Wanes As More Drones Target Port Sudan

Port Sudan — Drone attacks resumed at dawn today in Port Sudan. The city has faced bombardment for 12 consecutive days. Residents reported to Radio Dabanga that anti-aircraft fire shot down several drones. This occurred over Port Sudan and its airport.

The ongoing attacks have displaced 550 families from the city. Port Sudan had previously seen few hostilities, despite housing many displaced people. After the RSF took control of Khartoum, the city became the de facto seat of the Sudan government.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) confirmed the displacement of 550 families from May 5-12 due to drone strikes. Families fled from neighborhoods like El Tawraq, Salalab, and Dar es Salaam. They moved to areas such as Cannabis, Tucker, Halayeb, Jabet al-Ma'adan, Sinkat, Suakin, and Aqiq in Red Sea state.

Earlier reports indicated nearly 120 families were displaced between May 5-6. In total, more than 1,500 families have left Red Sea state for other regions.

Marine Traffic Impact
The bombardment has also affected marine traffic and harbor operations. Othman Taher, a union leader in seaports, told Radio Dabanga that port activity continues despite drone attacks. However, traffic volume has sharply decreased since the assaults began.

"Traffic has declined significantly in Port Sudan since the war started two years ago," he said. It improved after army control was established in El Gezira state and parts of Khartoum state. But drone bombardments have caused this progress to falter again.

He warned that increased drone attacks will raise shipping costs and insurance rates for vessels heading to Port Sudan. This will likely lead to higher prices for imported goods.

Drone Details
The Sudanese Military Capabilities platform claims recent attacks used upgraded FY-70 'kamikaze' drones made by a Chinese company called Bieberg. These drones feature a new 550cc engine and enhanced fuel capacity for longer-range strikes.

The standard FY-70 drone closely resembles Russia's KYB loitering munition system but uses an internal combustion engine instead of electric power. The RSF has not yet commented on these attacks.