Sudan's Capital Hit by Drone Attack, Khartoum International Airport Temporarily Closed
Xinhua News Agency, Cairo, May 4 (Reporter Zhang Meng) Khartoum news: The Sudanese Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism issued a statement on the 4th, saying that Khartoum International Airport was attacked by drones that day, but no casualties were reported. Authorities have evacuated airport personnel and decided to temporarily close the airport for 72 hours.
The statement said that after the attack, Sudan's security and military departments intervened immediately. The airport will resume operations once safety checks and technical assessments are completed.
The Sudan Forum reported on the 4th, citing sources from the Sudanese military, that multiple drones flew into the Sudanese capital from Ethiopia that day, attacking Khartoum International Airport, as well as one military facility each in the cities of Entoumane and North Khartoum within the capital region. One of the drones fired four missiles at Khartoum International Airport, with debris landing in the eastern part of the airport and surrounding residential areas, causing minor damage to an administrative building at the airport. The drone was subsequently shot down by air defense forces.
Khartoum International Airport has been severely damaged during the Sudan conflict and has been under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces for a long time, remaining closed. In March 2025, government forces regained control of the airport and began repair work. In February of this year, the airport welcomed its first commercial passenger flight.
On April 15, 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese government forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, with the fighting subsequently spreading to other regions. The "Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project," which monitors global conflicts, reports that Sudan's ongoing armed conflict for more than three years has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths. Since the beginning of this year, drone attack incidents in Sudan have significantly increased, affecting multiple states including Khartoum, Gezira, White Nile, Blue Nile, and North Kordofan, posing a serious threat to civilian safety and civilian infrastructure.
On May 4, 2023, multiple drones attacked Khartoum International Airport, prompting its temporary closure for 72 hours. The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces responded to the incident, which involved missiles targeting the airport and nearby military facilities. No casualties were reported, and the drones were said to have originated from Ethiopia.
- Khartoum International Airport was attacked by drones on May 4, 2023.
- No casualties were reported from the attack.
- The airport was temporarily closed for 72 hours following the incident.
- Drones reportedly entered from Ethiopia and targeted military facilities in Khartoum.
- The attack involved missiles launched at the airport, causing minor damage.