Sudanese Army Repels Drone Attack on Merowe Dam and Town
The Sudanese army has successfully repelled a drone attack targeting the Merowe Dam and the town of Merowe, including its airport. The 19th Infantry Division of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) confirmed in a statement that a swarm of drones launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was intercepted early on November 13. These drones were reportedly aimed at attacking an army headquarters, Merowe airport, and the Merowe Dam.
Merowe is one of the most strategically significant areas in northern Sudan. It houses an airport that serves both military and civilian purposes, as well as the Merowe Dam, which is among the largest in the country. The dam’s hydroelectric power plant has been targeted multiple times, resulting in power outages across several towns.
In addition to the drone attack, the army reported repelling an RSF assault on the Babanusa military base in West Kordofan State. Although the RSF had withdrawn from Babanusa in recent months, they continued their siege of the city, which had been ongoing since January 2024.
Following the RSF’s capture of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, the conflict has shifted to Kordofan and other regions of Sudan. This shift has involved foreign actors supporting either the SAF or the RSF.
International Response to the Conflict
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State and acting National Security Advisor, addressed the issue of foreign support for the RSF during a press conference after a G7 meeting in Canada. He emphasized the need to halt the flow of weapons and support that the RSF receives as it continues its advance.
Rubio noted that the support comes from outside Sudan and distinguished between countries that fund the weapons and those that allow their territory to be used for shipping and transporting them. His remarks were seen as a reference to the United Arab Emirates, which finances the RSF, as well as Puntland (an autonomous region of Somalia) and Libya, which facilitate the transit of weapons, mercenaries, and supplies for Sudanese militias.
He also accused the RSF of committing war crimes, including massacres and mass rapes, and suggested that Washington might designate the group as a terrorist organization.
Religious Leaders Speak Out on the Humanitarian Crisis
Meanwhile, Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, the Archbishop of Juba, addressed the war in Sudan and South Sudan during his opening address to the plenary assembly of the Sudan’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SCBC) in Malakal, South Sudan, on November 10. He described the suffering of the people of Sudan and South Sudan as “indescribable,” citing displacement, loss of life, destruction of churches and property, and a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale.
The cardinal commended the Catholic community and the people for their response to the tragedy. He highlighted the resilience of the dioceses, which have provided shelter, food, and pastoral care through charities and other organizations.
Ongoing Challenges and International Involvement
The conflict in Sudan continues to escalate, with both the SAF and RSF vying for control over key regions. The involvement of foreign actors has further complicated the situation, with some countries providing financial and logistical support to the RSF. This external involvement has raised concerns about the potential for increased violence and instability in the region.
As the conflict persists, the international community remains closely watching developments. Efforts to broker peace and provide humanitarian aid are ongoing, but the challenges remain significant. The situation in Sudan underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to end the violence and restore stability to the region.