Sudan’s Army Chief Defiant After Drone Strike Amid Ongoing Civil War

In Summary

• Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan remained defiant after a drone strike hit an army base he was visiting, vowing not to retreat or negotiate with adversaries.
• The drone attack occurred during a graduation ceremony at the Gibeit army base, killing five people. Despite initial reports, Burhan stayed at the base to address troops.
• The attack is part of the ongoing 15-month conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with recent drone strikes occurring across various locations in Sudan.
• Although peace talks are being discussed, Burhan insists on Sudan’s sovereignty in deciding participants and topics, casting doubt on the success of these efforts.

Khartoum, South Sudan- On Wednesday, Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, struck a defiant tone following a drone strike that targeted an army base he was visiting in eastern Sudan. The attack, which took place during a graduation ceremony at the Gibeit army base, about 100 km (62 miles) from Port Sudan in the Red Sea state, resulted in the deaths of five people. Despite the incident, Burhan remained in the area and returned to the base to address the troops, contradicting earlier reports that he had left for Port Sudan.

The drone strike, which witnesses confirmed occurred while Burhan was at the base, adds to a series of similar attacks on army locations in recent months. These attacks have become increasingly frequent, with drone strikes hitting areas such as Kosti, Rabak, and Kenana in the southern White Nile state, as well as al-Damer to the north of the capital.

While an adviser to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the army's rival in the ongoing civil war, denied involvement in the strike, the attack has cast further doubt on the potential success of peace talks aimed at ending the 15-month conflict. The RSF and the regular army have been locked in a bitter war since April 2023, stemming from disputes over plans to integrate the two forces under a political transition towards elections.

Speaking to soldiers after the strike, Burhan, dressed in combat attire, vowed, "We will not retreat, we will not give up, and we will not negotiate with any entity." His speech was followed by footage shared by the military, showing Burhan being greeted by cheering civilians chanting "one army, one people," reflecting his determination to continue the fight.

The ongoing conflict, which has become the world's largest humanitarian crisis, has pushed half of Sudan's population into a hunger crisis and displaced more than 10 million people. The RSF has renewed efforts to capture more territory, particularly in the southeastern state of Sennar, displacing over 165,000 people, as well as in White Nile and al-Gedaref states.

The possibility of peace talks remains uncertain. While the Sudanese foreign ministry had conditionally accepted a U.S. invitation to talks in August, Burhan emphasized that mediators need to respect Sudan's sovereignty, stating, "We want to end the war with our heads held high and victorious, but if the enemy is in people's homes and is killing them, the war won't end."

The talks, co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia, are set to include Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, the latter of which has been accused of supporting the RSF with weaponry, including drones. The UAE, however, denies these accusations.

As Sudan continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the ongoing war, the future remains uncertain, with the prospect of peace appearing increasingly distant.