Port Sudan

Port Sudan has historically been a centre for commercial activity, particularly in the shipping industry.

From April 2023 to January 2026, the Sudanese government largely operated from Port Sudan as a result of intense fighting in the capital city Khartoum in the ongoing civil war, leading to it being described as a de facto capital of the country. Port Sudan also emerged as a refuge for internally displaced persons in Sudan.

History

Founding and early history

Port Sudan was built between 1905 and 1909 by the administration of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to replace Suakin—the historic, coral-choked Arab port. An oil pipeline was built between the port and Khartoum in 1977.

Early 21st century

In 2009, Israel allegedly used naval commandos to attack Iranian arms ships at Port Sudan as part of Operation Birds of Prey. In 2020, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian Navy would begin construction on a base with capacity for 300 personnel and four warships in Port Sudan, with an agreement to use the facility as a Russian naval base in Sudan for at least 25 years. The plan was ultimately suspended, though Sudanese leadership indicated in 2022 that it was possible that the construction could again move forward in the future.

In 2016, it was reported that residents of Port Sudan faced water scarcity. Following the October–November 2021 Sudanese coup d'état, the Beja tribal council initiated a weeklong blockade of the city's ports. Following negotiations with military officials, the blockade was lifted after a week.

Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

During the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), Port Sudan has emerged as a leading destination and refuge for internally displaced persons fleeing war in other parts of the country. Internally-displaced refugees in the city reportedly face extreme heat and shortages of food and water.

By late October 2023, Reuters reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) controlled most of Khartoum, causing the government led by Abdul Fattah el-Burhan to have largely relocated to Port Sudan. General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, "has threatened to establish a cabinet" in Port Sudan, "with the intention of creating an alternative or second capital." Hemedti, leader of the RSF, in turn, warned that this would lead to him declaring his own rival government based in Khartoum or another city he controlled. Analysts have raised concerns of a lasting split similar to that of Libya during its civil wars. Port Sudan has been described as becoming a "de facto" capital of Sudan.

Iran and Russia have been trying to negotiate with Sudan to build a naval base in the city.

On 4 May 2025, the RSF launched drone attacks on Port Sudan for the first time since the beginning of the war, targeting the Osman Digna Air Base, "a goods warehouse and some civilian facilities" and causing "limited damage". A day later, another RSF drone attack occurred targeting fuel depots, leading to a fire. Some Arab nations condemned the actions.