Sudan Severes Diplomatic Ties with UAE Amid Escalating Conflict

Khartoum, Sudan – Sudan officially severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, accusing the Gulf nation of arming paramilitary forces engaged in a devastating civil war. The Sudanese government alleges that the UAE has been supplying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with advanced drone technology, enabling attacks on strategic locations, including the provisional seat of the government in Port Sudan.

The Sudanese army attributed recent drone strikes targeting Port Sudan to the RSF, though the paramilitary group has not claimed responsibility. These attacks caused damage to critical infrastructure within the city, a vital port and the country’s primary maritime gateway. Targeted sites included the airport, a military base, a power station, and fuel depots, according to multiple sources. While no casualties were reported immediately, the attacks have had a significant impact on daily life in Port Sudan.

The assaults prompted widespread concern among residents, leading to long lines at the few operational gas stations as people feared fuel shortages. The city also experienced a power outage after the electricity station was hit.

Sudan’s Minister of Defense, Yassin Ibrahim, strongly condemned the UAE’s actions, labeling them a "crime of aggression against the sovereignty of Sudan." He accused the UAE of providing the RSF with "sophisticated strategic weapons" amidst the ongoing civil war, which has now entered its third year. In a televised address to the nation, the Minister vowed that Sudan would "respond to this aggression by all means necessary to preserve the sovereignty of the country" and "protect civilians."

The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, pitting General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese army, against his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, who commands the RSF. The power struggle between these two figures has plunged Sudan into a state of chaos and violence.

Port Sudan, which had largely been spared from the fighting, has become a crucial hub for humanitarian aid and hosts numerous UN agencies and thousands of refugees. The recent drone attacks on the city, which began on Sunday, have shattered the sense of security and raised concerns about further escalation.

"Nobody expected such a rapid escalation, nor that the RSF would be able to strike so far," said Sudanese researcher Hamid Khalafallah. The conflict’s reach has expanded beyond traditional battlegrounds, impacting civilian infrastructure in other areas.

Kassala, a city in eastern Sudan previously considered a "safe haven for civilians displaced multiple times by this devastating conflict," has also been targeted, according to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clémentine Nkweta-Salami. Witnesses reported that a drone struck the Kassala airport, further highlighting the growing instability in the region.

In the western Darfur region, a "paramilitary bombardment" on the Abou Shouk displacement camp resulted in the deaths of at least six people and injuries to more than 20, according to a volunteer aid group. Abou Shouk, located near the besieged capital of North Darfur, El-Fasher, is facing famine conditions, mirroring the dire situation in other war-torn areas of the country, according to the UN.

The RSF, lacking a traditional air force, has increasingly relied on drones for aerial operations. These drones range from homemade devices to sophisticated models. Experts believe that the RSF aims to disrupt army supply lines through these attacks.

On Tuesday, the primary military base in Port Sudan was reportedly bombed, according to a source within the army. Witnesses also reported that a nearby hotel was targeted. These locations are close to the current residence of General Al-Burhan.

A drone also struck the "civilian section of the airport" in Port Sudan, leading to the suspension of flights at the country’s last operational airport, according to an airport official who requested anonymity. The airport’s military base had already been targeted by drone strikes attributed to the RSF on Sunday. The closest RSF positions are approximately 650 kilometers away.

"Yesterday and today only confirm to us that this war will follow us wherever we go," said Hussein Ibrahim, a 64-year-old refugee in Port Sudan who fled the conflict a year ago. The recent attacks underscore the pervasive insecurity and the sense that no place is safe from the ongoing violence.

The Sudanese government’s decision to sever ties with the UAE comes shortly after the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s highest court, dismissed a complaint filed by Sudan accusing Abu Dhabi of complicity in genocide for its support of the RSF. The ICJ declared itself "incompetent" to hear the case, a decision welcomed by the UAE.

The UAE has consistently denied supporting the RSF, which evolved from the Janjaweed militia accused of genocide in the Darfur region over two decades ago. However, numerous reports have pointed to the UAE’s interference in Sudan, fueling speculation about its involvement in the conflict.

The civil war in Sudan has had a catastrophic impact on the country, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, displacing an estimated 13 million people, and triggering what the UN describes as "the worst humanitarian catastrophe" in the world. The breakdown in diplomatic relations between Sudan and the UAE further complicates the already complex situation and raises concerns about the potential for increased regional instability. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the path towards peace remains uncertain. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as access to aid is hampered by ongoing violence and displacement.