Rédaction Africa Links 24 with SudanTribune
Published on 2024-04-10 02:06:17
On April 9, 2024, the border city of Gedaref experienced a series of drone attacks targeting key locations such as the headquarters of the General Intelligence Service and an army site. This incident occurred in the midst of escalating tensions between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Gedaref, situated near the Ethiopian border, has emerged as a refuge for over 400,000 displaced individuals who have fled violence in Khartoum and Gezira states. The drone strikes have added another layer of instability to an already precarious region.
Reports indicate that at around 9:30 am, three drones approached the city from the northwest, flying over residential areas. One of the drones crashed into the mosque at the General Intelligence Service headquarters in the Al-Mutamaf neighborhood, resulting in injuries to a security officer and a civilian bystander. The targeted site was engulfed in thick smoke following the attack.
The 2nd Infantry Division of Sudan’s military successfully intercepted a second drone near the Gedaref Model School, while another drone aiming for the National Service headquarters was also shot down.
Despite the severity of the attacks, no group has claimed responsibility for them. This lack of accountability has only added to the sense of uncertainty and fear gripping the city and its residents.
In the aftermath of the incidents, a significant increase in security measures was observed, with troops from the army, police, and General Intelligence personnel being deployed throughout Gedaref, including the bustling Grand Market area. Witnesses reported seeing a convoy of General Intelligence vehicles leaving the city, possibly in pursuit of the perpetrators.
The unprecedented nature of these attacks has raised concerns about the escalating violence in Sudan and the region at large. Gedaref, once considered a relatively safe area amidst the broader military conflicts, has now been thrust into the forefront of the ongoing turmoil.
As the investigation into the drone attacks continues, residents of Gedaref are left grappling with the aftermath of the violence and the uncertainty of what the future holds for their city. The need for heightened security measures and vigilance has become all the more apparent, as the threat of further attacks looms large over this already volatile region.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
