The Sudanese Armed Forces has accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of involvement in a drone attack on Khartoum International Airport, marking a fresh escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war.
The allegations come amid renewed drone strikes that have disrupted a period of relative calm in the capital, three years into the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected the claims, describing them as “baseless accusations.” It also accused Sudan’s military of supporting hostile actors and violating Ethiopia’s territorial integrity. The UAE, however, has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations, which Reuters said it could not independently verify.
Sudan has repeatedly accused the Gulf state of supporting the Rapid Support Forces, a charge the UAE denies. It has also alleged that Ethiopia has allowed drones to be launched from its territory, including claims linking operations to Bahir Dar airport.
According to Sudan’s army spokesperson, Brigadier General Asim Awad Abdelwahab, evidence from a downed drone in March allegedly pointed to cross-border coordination involving both Ethiopia and the UAE. Ethiopia has not responded to those specific claims.
Residents in Khartoum and surrounding areas reported renewed drone strikes hitting military and civilian targets, including Khartoum International Airport, which has been a focal point of fighting since the war began in 2023. Witnesses also reported attacks in Omdurman, al-Obeid, and Kenana over the weekend, with casualties including civilians.
Emergency responders and activist groups said at least one strike hit a civilian bus in Omdurman, killing five people. Other attacks reportedly targeted individuals linked to shifting alliances within armed factions.
The conflict, which erupted after a breakdown in relations between Sudan’s army and the RSF over plans to integrate forces and transition to civilian rule, has led to widespread destruction. The RSF initially seized control of Khartoum but has since been pushed back, consolidating influence in Darfur and opening new fronts in other regions.
Drone warfare has increasingly defined the conflict, which the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with mass displacement, famine risks, and widespread civilian suffering.
