Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Sudan’s military announced that its air force destroyed an Emirati aircraft attempting to land at Nyala airport in Darfur. The plane was reportedly carrying Colombian mercenaries who were believed to be fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to Sudanese state television, the aircraft was targeted and destroyed during landing, resulting in the deaths of dozens of foreign fighters.
The incident is part of a broader conflict that has been ongoing since April 2023, in which the Sudanese army and RSF have been locked in violent clashes across the country. The military claims that the United Arab Emirates has been supplying the RSF with advanced weaponry and logistical support, including drones and foreign fighters, particularly through Nyala airport.
Although the UAE has repeatedly denied these accusations, Sudanese officials insist they have evidence proving Emirati involvement, including the recruitment and funding of Colombian mercenaries. These fighters, many of whom are former soldiers, are said to have entered Sudan after being recruited through private security networks.
Reports suggest that over 80 Colombian fighters have been identified in Darfur, particularly in al-Fashir, a city still held by the army. Many of these mercenaries have reportedly been killed during recent RSF offensives that included drone strikes and heavy artillery.
The Sudanese army has also released video footage that it claims shows foreign fighters in RSF ranks. Though these videos have not been independently verified, they are consistent with earlier claims made by Sudanese authorities and international observers.
In response to mounting evidence, Sudan has accused the UAE of escalating the conflict by enabling the RSF through external support. The use of drones, believed to be of foreign origin, has significantly increased the RSF’s capabilities and shifted the balance in certain areas of the conflict.
Sudan’s government has stated that it will no longer tolerate foreign interference in its internal affairs and is taking steps to confront what it describes as a coordinated campaign to undermine its sovereignty. As the conflict intensifies, the involvement of foreign actors and mercenaries adds a new dimension to the war, raising concerns about regional destabilization and the future of peace efforts in the country.
