Drone strikes cut power across southeast Sudan, operator says

CAIRO, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Paramilitary ‌drone strikes ​hit ​power stations in southeast Sudan on Monday, cutting power across the region, the state electricity ‌company said.

The operator accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces — ⁠which have been fighting a civil war with the army for ‌around 3-1/2 years — of ‌knocking out power in four states, which cover about half the territory currently held by the military.

The Rapid ​Support Forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the ⁠account from the Sudan Electricity Holding Company.

Power was cut in Sennar, Al Qadarif, White ​Nile and Gezira states, threatening the stability of the whole national grid, the operator said.

The attacks ​hit stations in the towns ‌and areas of Sinja, El Hawata, Al Fao and Mashkour, as well as Al-Junaid in ⁠Gezira State, causing "severe damage" and "major destruction" to equipment, it added.

The United Nations has warned that attacks on power infrastructure threaten ⁠health and other services for millions of people already hit hard by ​the conflict.

Sudan's army has been fighting the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, when the two fell out over issues including ‌how to integrate their forces in a planned transition to civilian rule.

Both sides have stepped ‌up drone strikes, with a series of attacks on ⁠Nyala, held by the RSF, ‌and Khartoum airport, ​held by the army, this month.

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz; Writing by Mohamed Ezz; Editing by Andrew ‌Heavens)

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