The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) strongly condemns the drone attack carried out in the early hours of today, 18 December 2025, on an electricity substation in Atbara, River Nile State, reportedly by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This attack on critical civilian infrastructure has resulted in widespread power outages and has reportedly led to the death of civil defence personnel responding to the incident, with others injured.
This attack is not an isolated incident. Over the past two years, the conflict in Sudan has been marked by repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure, including power stations and substations in River Nile State, Khartoum, and eastern Sudan. These strikes have caused recurrent nationwide blackouts, severely disrupting access to healthcare, water, communications, and other essential services, and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Targeting electricity infrastructure gravely endangers civilian life. The killing of emergency responders while carrying out their duties further underscores the reckless and unlawful nature of such attacks and the growing risks faced by civilians and first responders alike.
SAR reiterates that electricity installations are civilian objects protected under international humanitarian law. Deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against such infrastructure are prohibited and may amount to serious violations of international law, including war crimes. The continued use of drones to strike essential civilian services represents a dangerous escalation that further erodes the protection owed to civilians.
SAR calls for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into this attack to establish responsibility and ensure accountability. We urge all parties to the conflict to immediately cease attacks on civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water, and communications facilities, and to take concrete measures to protect civilians and emergency responders in line with international humanitarian law. We further call for the urgent restoration of electricity and essential services, with international support mobilised to mitigate the humanitarian impact on affected communities.
The Sudanese Alliance for Rights stands in solidarity with the victims, their families, and the people of Atbara and River Nile State, and reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed efforts toward a peaceful resolution that prioritises the protection of civilians.
Sudanese Alliance for Rights,
18 December 2025
