This photo was taken from the “Africa Road Tunnel” just northwest of Khartoum International Airport in central Khartoum, Sudan. It captures a passenger plane taking off from the airport, and the bustle of city traffic below. The photo was taken in March 2020. The flights from this airport connected Sudan primarily with countries in the surrounding countries of the region, and the Middle East.

But flights would soon be disrupted by travel restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, three years later, the city would be consumed by armed conflict, as fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Conflict spread throughout the country, bringing about a large but unknown death toll, and  the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, leaving millions without food and shelter. The conflict continues to this day.

Learn more about the situation in Sudan → 「スーダン：紛争開始から3年」

Learn more about countries and air travel →「空の上の『国境線』」