Sudan's war now arrives from the sky

Residents of El Obeid, Sudan, no longer need to see fighters in the streets to know war has arrived; the sound of drones overhead, followed by anti-aircraft fire and explosions, has become a daily reality. The city has been one of the most targeted by drone attacks in recent months, with one August attack killing two people and injuring others. The use of drones has fundamentally changed the nature of Sudan's war, which began in April 2023, by eliminating the safety of distance from front lines. Attacks have hit cities like Port Sudan, which was previously considered a safe haven, targeting military bases, fuel depots, and power stations, causing widespread disruption to water, electricity, and fuel supplies. This shift has forced civilians into impossible choices, as displacement no longer guarantees safety. The war has reached markets, hospitals, and infrastructure across the country, with attacks on facilities like the Merowe Dam causing cascading failures in essential services for hundreds of kilometers, proving that the conflict can now arrive from the sky.