Drones strike near Khartoum airport as reopening plans face questions

A series of drone strikes struck the area around Khartoum International Airport early Tuesday, witnesses said, raising questions about plans to reopen the capital's main airport for domestic flights the following day after roughly 30 months of closure. Residents reported hearing the hum of drones over central and southern Khartoum and a wave of explosions in the airport vicinity between about 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time. Officials gave no immediate confirmation of casualties or damage, and no group claimed responsibility.

The Civil Aviation Authority had announced on Monday that domestic flights would gradually resume from Wednesday, October 22, following technical and operational preparations. That reopening plan was reiterated by authorities even as the strikes occurred, with government and security sources later visiting the airport to assess conditions. A senior army commander inspected the facility and said the military remained committed to defeating what he called the rebellion led by the Rapid Support Forces. From inside the airport he said the armed forces were determined to crush the rebellion, and he added, We do not want any mercenary or militia to have a...