Anxieties have escalated to terrifying new levels in the Sudan crisis as Iran and the UAE are accused of violating a UN arms ban. The civil war in Sudan has been running strong for over a year, and the claims center on the distribution of drones to the various factions involved in the conflict. Foreign participation in the conflict has far-reaching consequences, and this article explores the data that supports these statements.
A Watershed Moment in Khartoum in March 2024
March 12, 2024, was the morning of a major military victory for the Sudanese government troops. After the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the building at the beginning of the war, they were able to successfully regain control of the public broadcaster’s headquarters in Khartoum. Video evidence of this triumph shows the operation’s employment of drones manufactured in Iran.
As to Sudan Transparency and Policy Observatory Director Suliman Baldo, the army initially depended significantly on its air force because there weren’t enough ground forces. Although the army dominated airspace, the RSF remained in charge of most of Khartoum and Darfur.
A drone identified at Wadi Seidna military base was 6.5m long and had a wingspan of 10m
Proven Iranian Drone Activity
A video showing the RSF shooting down an army drone appeared on Twitter in early January 2024. The debris was positively identified as a Mohajer-6, a drone produced by Iran, according to drone specialist Wim Zwijnenburg of the Dutch peace organization PAX. The Mohajer-6, with its 6.5-meter length and precision airstrike capabilities, gave the Sudanese army a major technological edge.
Satellite images of the Wadi Seidna military installation revealed yet another Mohajer-6 drone, adding weight to the evidence. Zwijnenburg made a point of how well these drones could recognize objects with little to no training. Furthermore, the RSF found footage of another fallen drone and identified it as the Zajil-3, a locally manufactured version of the Iranian Ababil-3. The deployment of Zajil-3 drones was a major turning point in this war, even though they were not novel to Sudan.
Suspected Iranian Backing
Iranian drones were singled out by Zwijnenburg as proof of Tehran’s direct cooperation. Drones carrying guided missiles provide evidence that Sudan has acquired weaponry from Iran, even though the country’s ruling council denies the claim. Satellite images and the debris of these drones lend credence to the claim that Iran was involved.
A photo posted on X by @SudanSena geolocated by the BBC to Port Sudan airport suggested a weapons shipment
The Iranian freight company Qeshm Fars Air was seen at Port Sudan airport in December 2023 with a Boeing 747. This plane is notorious for smuggling weapons. The suspicions about Iran’s role in delivering weaponry to the Sudanese army were heightened by this flight, which was repeated many times until January 2024. Experts like Baldo believe that Iran is trying to achieve strategic concessions in the region by delivering superior weaponry, despite protestations from the Sudanese government.
What the UAE Can Do to Back the RSF
The UAE is supposedly supporting the RSF, who are on the opposite side of the fight. Brian Castner, a weapons specialist for Amnesty International, traced the RSF’s acquisition of quadcopter drones to the UAE, pointing to parallel trends in Yemen and Ethiopia. The RSF now has commercial drones that can launch 120mm mortar shells, which is a huge improvement to their arsenal.
Allegedly, weapons were transported from the UAE to the RSF via an air bridge operated by civilian aircraft, according to a UN report that was presented to the Security Council. Before arriving in Chad’s Amdjarass airport, close to the RSF stronghold in Darfur, the route passed through Nairobi and Kampala. Evidence suggests a persistent effort to arm the RSF under the pretense of humanitarian supplies, notwithstanding the UAE’s denial.
Human Effort and Global Reaction ####
With the help of drones, the Sudanese army was able to break sieges and reclaim territory, altering the conflict’s dynamics. But it has had a terrible impact on people’s lives. Based on data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) and the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM), around 16,650 people have been murdered and 12 million have been displaced.
Drone strikes have caused terrifying encounters for civilians like Abdullah Makkawi, highlighting the critical need for immediate global action. Having avoided an RSF drone assault in Khartoum with a narrow escape, Makkawi is now worried about his family’s safety in Port Sudan.
Final Thoughts: What We Must Do
The Sudanese army had captured many quadcopter drones used by the RSF
International attempts to restrict the flow of weapons and a comprehensive arms embargo are critically needed in light of the ongoing violence in Sudan. The United Nations Security Council ought to do something about the breaches of the arms embargo and try to end the war peacefully. If the brutality and suffering endured by the Sudanese people are to come to an end, it is imperative that international military assistance cease.
Supplying drones to the warring factions in Sudan is a clear violation of international law and is adding fuel to the humanitarian situation. Iran and the UAE are also involved in this. The international community must act swiftly to stop the situation from getting worse and to back the efforts to bring peace to Sudan since the whole world is watching.
