Drone war escalates in Sudan: Al-Jaili refinery hit, senior military commander killed
On Tuesday, September 9, Sudan’s Al-Jaili oil refinery, located north of Khartoum, came under the heaviest drone attack in months, as eight unmanned aircraft struck the facility simultaneously. Local sources confirmed that management swiftly evacuated all staff as a precautionary measure, noting that no civilian casualties were reported. The attack represents a significant escalation, targeting a critical economic artery essential for refining and distributing the country’s fuel supplies.
At the same time, Omdurman was subjected to similar strikes. Drones operated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the Wadi Sayyidna airbase and the Marakhiyat power station north of the city. Military sources told Al-Sudani newspaper that ground defenses intercepted much of the assault, limiting the damage to what was described as a moderate level.
In a shocking development, military insiders disclosed to the Information Bureau that Major General Abu Obeida, the newly appointed head of military security and deputy director of military intelligence, was killed in the attacks. Eight senior officers, including key figures from the Air Force and intelligence units, were wounded to varying degrees. The loss is seen as a major blow to the Sudanese army’s command structure.
The deaths and injuries among top leadership come at a critical juncture, as the army struggles to maintain internal cohesion in the face of increasingly aggressive RSF offensives. Analysts argue that the twin strategy of striking infrastructure and assassinating high-ranking officers signals a strategic shift designed to weaken the army militarily, economically, and psychologically at once.
Energy experts also warned of dire consequences should the refinery sustain major damage, stressing that Sudan is already grappling with severe fuel and electricity shortages. Meanwhile, renewed international calls for de-escalation and the protection of civilian infrastructure reflect fears that Sudan is sliding deeper into security and economic chaos.
