Flash report: Destruction of Wad Madani Dry Port

Wad Madani land port - تدمير ميناء ود مدني البري (1)

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لقراءة المقال بالعربية

Sudan Witness has verified significant damage to a dry port in Wad Madani, following a reported airstrike

On 16 August, the official X account for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shared a video showing a large burning building with significant damage to its exterior facade. Sudan Witness geolocated the footage to a dry port in Wad Madani, Gezira, which has been under RSF control since their violent takeover in December 2023 (figure 2). The dry port (an inland terminal connected to a sea port) was opened on 10 February, 2022, and is situated 4 km west of Hantoub bridge at the north of Wad Madani along the Khartoum-Wad Madani highway.

The description of the post on the RSF X account states that the facility was subjected to an airstrike by the SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces).  As the dry port is allegedly 99% owned by the so-called “Charitable Organisation to Support the Armed Forces”, the RSF’s claim would suggest the SAF had struck assets of its affiliates. However, as the footage showed no projectile impact points on the building or craters in the immediate surroundings, Sudan Witness could not confirm the RSF’s claim that the fire was caused by SAF-conducted airstrikes. 

Figure 2: Geolocation of footage showing the Wad Madani dry port on fire [14.42148001,33.47751404] Sources: X and Google Earth

The footage posted by the official X account for the RSF shows significant damage to the facility, with active fires, shattered windows and debris. Sudan Witness confirmed this based on analysis of Planet satellite imagery from 17 August, which showed damage to the southwest corner of the facility. 

According to an article posted by The Sudan Times on 16 August, the land port plays a crucial role in delivering aid and assisting with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country and so its destruction marks a ‘significant escalation’ in the conflict. The narrator in the RSF published footage also states that the destruction of the facility has brought on a major disruption to trade and the distribution of aid. However, Sudan Witness has not confirmed this, as analysis of Planet satellite imagery from May to August 2024 shows no activity around the land port facility and the market located next to it (figure 3).

Figure 3: Planet satellite imagery showing no activity around the Wad Madani dry port from 2 May - 17 August 2024. Source: Planet

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