Reopening of Khartoum Airport Delayed After Drone Attacks

Post by : Saif Nasser

Khartoum: Plans to reopen Sudan’s main airport in Khartoum after more than two years of closure were postponed on Wednesday following fresh drone attacks. The strikes took place early on Tuesday and again on Wednesday morning, raising new safety concerns, an airline source told Reuters.

Khartoum International Airport, located in the center of Sudan’s capital, was one of the first major targets hit when fighting began between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2023. The war caused severe damage to airport buildings and led to an immediate stop to all flights.

Earlier this year, after the army regained control of most parts of Khartoum, the government announced plans to rebuild and reopen the airport as a sign of progress toward normal life. Officials saw this as a key step to restore public confidence and show that peace and order were returning to areas under army control.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over one million people have returned to the capital since the army retook control. Millions of others had fled the city during the RSF’s occupation, escaping heavy clashes and widespread destruction.

Badr Airlines, one of Sudan’s main carriers, had planned to operate the first commercial domestic flight from Khartoum on October 22. However, the recent drone strikes forced the airline to delay its plans for several more days. A company official said that the situation was still being closely monitored for safety reasons.

Earlier this week, Badr Airlines announced on Facebook that one of its planes had successfully landed at Khartoum airport during a test run. The airline confirmed that only domestic flights were being considered for now, as the airport continues to rebuild its damaged infrastructure.

According to the source, the attacks demonstrated that the airport remains vulnerable to airstrikes and drone raids from the RSF. The rebel group has used drones to attack both military and civilian sites in areas controlled by the Sudanese army. Their goal, observers say, is to weaken the army’s control and strengthen their position, especially in the Darfur region where fighting has intensified.

In a speech released late on Tuesday, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo — also known as Hemedti — warned that his forces would strike any airport, inside or outside Sudan, if it was used to support the army’s military operations. Dagalo accused the army of receiving foreign help and said any location aiding them would become a target.

Khartoum airport includes both civilian and military sections, with an air force base nearby. In the past, Dagalo accused Egypt of launching airstrikes in support of Sudan’s army, but Cairo has strongly denied those claims.

Following the latest attacks, Sudan’s army chief and de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, visited the airport to assess the situation. According to an army statement, military defenses intercepted the drones and prevented a major disaster. Security officials said that while the strikes caused some damage, it was minimal and did not affect key airport structures.

The reopening of Khartoum International Airport was meant to mark a major milestone in Sudan’s recovery. The war between the army and the RSF has devastated the country, killing thousands of people, displacing millions, and destroying key parts of Sudan’s infrastructure. For many citizens, seeing the airport reopen would have been a symbol of hope and stability after years of fear and hardship.

However, the continued drone attacks show that peace in Sudan remains fragile. Even though the army now controls most of Khartoum, the RSF continues to launch surprise attacks across different regions, including Darfur, Kordofan, and parts of the capital itself.

Experts say that the delayed reopening highlights the challenges the army-led government faces in trying to rebuild while fighting continues. “The airport is more than just a travel hub,” said one regional analyst. “It represents the government’s claim to control. If the airport cannot safely reopen, it sends a message that the war is far from over.”

Residents of Khartoum expressed disappointment at the news. Many had hoped that flights would soon resume, allowing them to travel for work, reunite with families, or bring in much-needed supplies. “We were happy when they said planes would fly again,” said Ahmed, a local shopkeeper. “But now we are scared. The drones mean danger is still here.”

The Sudanese conflict began in April 2023 after a power struggle between General al-Burhan and General Dagalo turned violent. Both men were once allies who led the country together after the ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Their split plunged Sudan into chaos, sparking one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The United Nations says that nearly nine million people have been displaced by the war, and many regions face severe shortages of food, water, and medical aid. Despite calls for a ceasefire, both sides have continued fighting, with little sign of compromise.

For now, Khartoum’s airport remains closed, and the dream of normal life is once again delayed. Officials say repair work will continue, and flights may resume once the security situation improves. But with both sides still exchanging fire, many fear that peace — like the airport’s reopening — may remain out of reach.