UAE aircraft carrying 40 Colombian mercenaries allegedly shot down over Darfur, claims Sudan.
In a politically sensitive and contested situation, Sudanese state media and military sources confirm the destruction of a private aircraft, allegedly operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in an airstrike at Nyala Airport in Darfur, Sudan, on August 6, 2025 [1][2][3]. Reports suggest at least 40 fatalities, mostly Colombian mercenaries supportive of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) [1][2][3][4].
Sudan's military accuses the UAE of supporting the RSF with arms and mercenaries, emphasizing that this strike was to enforce Sudanese sovereignty and curb foreign interference [3]. Colombian President Gustavo Petro acknowledged the incident and announced that his government is investigating the number of Colombian nationals killed and working to recover their bodies, further calling for legislation to ban mercenarism [2][3][4].
The UAE, however, vehemently denies the allegations, stating a lack of evidence and accusing Sudan of misinformation [3][5]. Official statements from Sudanese military leadership emphasize the strike as a sovereign military action against foreign intervention [3]. No official comment yet from Sudan’s RSF leadership or the UAE government beyond denials [2][3].
Unconfirmed reports suggest Colombian mercenaries have been serving in private military operations around the world, with some reportedly involved in the conflict in Sudan since late 2024 [6]. Reports of Colombian mercenaries operating in Sudan have been surfacing, but the authenticity of videos purporting to show foreign fighters, allegedly Colombians, in connection with the airstrike at Nyala airport in Darfur has not been independently verified by AFP [7].
Notably, the Colombian Defense and Environment Ministers were killed in a military helicopter crash, but this event is not directly related to the airstrike in Darfur, Sudan. President Petro has instructed the Colombian ambassador in Egypt to verify the number of nationals killed in the Darfur airstrike [4].
As the investigation continues, the situation remains tense, with both Sudan and the UAE denying involvement in the conflict and accusations of foreign interference. The Colombian government is working diligently to uncover the truth and bring closure to the families of the reported casualties.
- The general news coverage of the airstrike in Nyala Airport, Darfur, Sudan, on August 6, 2025, includes reports of involvement in war-and-conflicts, politics, and news about foreign interference, as Sudan's military accuses the UAE of supporting the RSF with arms and mercenaries.
- Besides politics, the incident has also raised concerns in the field of science, as unconfirmed reports suggest Colombian mercenaries have been serving in private military operations around the world, with some reportedly involved in the conflict in Sudan.
- The entertainment industry might find this incident intriguing, given the historical context that Sudan's military claims this strike was to enforce Sudanese sovereignty, while the UAE vehemently denies the allegations.
- The environment sector has not been directly affected by this event in Darfur, Sudan, but the Colombian Defense Minister was killed in a separate military helicopter crash.
- Business news might cover the potential diplomatic and economic repercussions that could arise from this contentious situation, as both Sudan and the UAE deny involvement in the conflict, and the Colombian government investigates the incident to bring closure to the families of the reported casualties.
