Drone Strike at Sudanese Army Base During General's Visit Sparks Tensions

A drone strike targeted an army base in eastern Sudan during the visit of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The strike occurred during a graduation ceremony, killing five people. The incident has added complications to efforts in ending Sudan's 15-month civil war, with conflicting blame between the army and the Rapid Support Forces.

A drone strike targeted an eastern Sudanese army base during a visit by army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, eyewitnesses told Reuters on Wednesday. The attack, which took place during a graduation ceremony at the Gibeit army base, resulted in the deaths of five people.

Sources report that Burhan was present at the base during the strike but was safely transported to Port Sudan afterward. Conflicting reports emerged over responsibility for the attack, with the Rapid Support Forces denying involvement and accusing Islamist factions within the army.

Video footage circulating on social media shows the moments of the explosion, adding a sense of urgency to ongoing peace talks. Despite previous mediation efforts, the ceasefire remains elusive, turning the U.S.-facilitated talks in Switzerland into a critical opportunity for negotiating an end to the 15-month conflict.