Port Sudan, once a crucial lifeline and refuge amid the chaos of Sudan’s civil war, is now a city teetering on collapse. A week of relentless attacks has left the city without electricity, running water, or functioning infrastructure, plunging tens of thousands into crisis conditions.
Eyewitnesses and aid workers on the ground describe scenes of desperation as residents queue for hours in scorching heat in search of clean water or food. With power stations disabled and water purification systems offline, basic necessities have vanished almost overnight.
The attacks, widely believed to be the result of escalating tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), mark a dangerous new chapter in Sudan’s ongoing conflict. While Port Sudan had largely been spared from direct combat for much of the civil war, its status as a de facto government seat and humanitarian hub has now made it a target.
“Port Sudan was one of the last relatively stable areas in the country,” said Miriam El-Amin, a spokesperson for a humanitarian organization operating in the region. “This week’s violence has crippled aid delivery and exposed civilians to even greater risks.”
Local hospitals are struggling to operate without electricity or medical supplies. Doctors report having to perform procedures by flashlight and ration fuel for backup generators. Communications are also down in many parts of the city, further isolating the population and impeding the coordination of relief efforts.
The United Nations and several international organizations have condemned the attacks and are calling for immediate ceasefire and access to restore humanitarian services. However, efforts to broker peace remain stalled, and the Sudanese civilian population continues to bear the brunt of a conflict that has already displaced millions.
Port Sudan, located on the Red Sea, has long been considered vital for Sudan’s economic survival, housing the country’s main seaport and serving as a logistical base for humanitarian aid. Its fall into chaos could have ripple effects not only throughout Sudan, but across the broader Horn of Africa region.
For residents like 36-year-old Fatima Musa, the only priority now is survival. “We have no water, no light, and no safety,” she said. “We just want this nightmare to end.”
As the situation grows more dire by the day, the world watches, and waits — hoping for intervention, peace, and the chance for Port Sudan to rise from its ruins.
