Drone strikes disable major power station, cutting electricity to two Sudanese states

Drone strikes hit a major thermal power station in Sudan’s White Nile state early Thursday, disrupting electricity supplies to two states as attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure continued to intensify.

The strikes targeted the Um Dabaker thermal power station in Rabak, damaging its main electrical feeders and control room and forcing the facility out of operation, according to local sources cited by Sudan Tribune.

The attacks interrupted electricity supplies to White Nile and North Kordofan states, adding to widespread power disruptions reported across Sudan in recent days.

Eyewitnesses described powerful explosions and plumes of smoke rising from the station after drones struck the facility in the early hours of Thursday.

The extent of the damage and the time required to restore electricity remained unclear.

There was no independently verified information about casualties or the identity of those responsible for the latest attack.

Sudan’s electricity infrastructure under attack

The strike follows several days of drone attacks against power stations, fuel depots and electricity distribution facilities in areas controlled by Sudan’s military.

Earlier this week, drones struck electricity installations in Omdurman, Al Managil and other locations, causing major outages and disrupting services.

Sudan’s Electricity Holding Company previously reported attacks on five substations across Sennar, Gedaref, White Nile and Al Jazirah states.

The incidents have raised concerns about the ability of electricity providers to maintain supplies to hospitals, water-pumping facilities, bakeries and other essential services.

The Emergency Lawyers rights group said approximately 13 electricity installations had been targeted during October.

The organisation accused the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of carrying out attacks on energy infrastructure on October 27 and 28, calling for independent investigations and accountability.

Responsibility for Thursday’s strike on Um Dabaker has not been independently established.

Concerns grow over civilian infrastructure

The latest attack comes amid an expansion of drone warfare between Sudan’s military and the RSF, with strikes increasingly reaching areas far from conventional front lines.

The Um Dabaker facility had previously been damaged during an attack in January 2026, which affected transformers and reduced its generating capacity.

Repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure threaten to deepen the humanitarian crisis by disrupting water supplies, medical services, food production and commercial activity.

The United Nations has warned that the growing use of drones against civilian infrastructure is placing millions of Sudanese at risk.

Under international humanitarian law, civilian installations are protected from deliberate attack unless they qualify as military objectives, and attacks must comply with the rules of distinction, proportionality and precautions.

The latest incident adds to mounting pressure on Sudan’s already weakened electricity network, as repeated strikes complicate efforts to restore power and maintain essential services.