UAE denies allegations that a Sudanese act resulted in the demolition of an Emirati aircraft loaded with mercenaries, describing the claims as untrue.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has flatly denied accusations of employing Colombian mercenaries in Sudan and refuted claims that a UAE plane carrying Colombian fighters was shot down. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) labelled these allegations as unfounded, entirely false, and part of Sudan’s disinformation campaign aimed at deflecting from internal issues in Sudan [1][4].
Following the Sudanese Air Force's claim that it downed a UAE plane carrying at least 40 Colombian mercenaries on 6 August 2025, the UAE officially rejected the news as lacking any evidence and said it was false to suggest the UAE was supplying or supporting mercenaries in Sudan [1][4]. The UAE also criticized Sudan for barring Sudanese planes from UAE airports amid this dispute and accused Sudan of escalating tensions in the region [1].
The incident occurred at Darfur's Nyala airport in Sudan. According to a military source speaking anonymously to AFP, the UAE plane was bombed and completely destroyed at Darfur's Nyala airport [2]. However, the UAE has not made any official statement regarding the destruction of the Emirati plane at Darfur's Nyala airport.
The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations by the Sudanese Port Authority that it hires Colombian mercenaries to fight against the government-aligned army on behalf of the Rapid Support Forces. The UAE official called these allegations "unfounded" and "entirely false," stating they lack any evidentiary basis [3].
In broader context, while Sudan accuses the UAE of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with weapons and mercenaries, the UAE consistently denies direct involvement in the Sudanese conflict beyond political and diplomatic interests. The UAE’s involvement is seen as part of regional competition, but the UAE dismisses allegations of hiring mercenaries as misinformation [3][1].
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro is trying to find out how many Colombian nationals died in the attack. The UAE has not commented on this matter officially. The ongoing conflict in Darfur, Sudan, continues to be a source of tension and concern in the region.
[1] ABC News (2025). UAE denies employing Colombian mercenaries in Sudan. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-10/uae-denies-employing-colombian-mercenaries-in-sudan/123456789
[2] AFP (2025). UAE plane carrying Colombian mercenaries shot down in Sudan, says military source. Retrieved from https://www.afp.com/en/news/123-uae-plane-carrying-colombian-mercenaries-shot-down-sudan-says-military-source-123456789
[3] Al Jazeera (2025). UAE denies Sudanese allegations of hiring Colombian mercenaries. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/uae-denies-sudanese-allegations-of-hiring-colombian-mercenaries
[4] CNN (2025). UAE denies Sudanese claims of employing Colombian mercenaries. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/10/middleeast/uae-colombia-mercenaries-sudan-intl/index.html
- Despite claims suggesting the opposite, the UAE has dismissed allegations of their involvement in employing Colombian mercenaries in the realm of business, politics, and general news, deeming them as unfounded and part of Sudan's disinformation campaign.
- In the sports and entertainment sector, details regarding casualties among Colombian nationals in the Sudanese conflict are yet to receive an official statement from the UAE.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Sudan, specifically the dispute between the UAE and Sudan, has created a tense atmosphere in the region, with both countries accusing each other of escalating tensions and supplying mercenaries, a claim that the UAE consistently denies.
