UAE denies Sudan's assertion that it destroyed an Emirati aircraft carrying mercenaries.
In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, accusations have been levelled against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for supplying advanced weaponry and foreign fighters, notably Colombian mercenaries, to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur. However, these allegations have yet to be supported by any independently verified evidence.
Sudan's military claims to have "irrefutable evidence" of UAE sponsorship and financing of mercenaries and arms shipments, going as far as reporting an airstrike that destroyed a UAE-affiliated plane carrying Colombian mercenaries in August 2025. This incident, they allege, resulted in the death of at least 40 mercenaries at Nyala airport.
However, these claims have been categorically denied by both the UAE and the RSF. The UAE has called the accusations "unfounded," "false," and part of a "disinformation campaign" lacking any supporting proof. UAE officials have demanded Sudan provide evidence to support their claims.
The RSF, on the other hand, has denied any involvement by the UAE and labelled the claims as part of a propaganda campaign by Sudan's military to cover battlefield losses.
Independent verification of these claims is also lacking. Satellite imagery and flight tracking data reviewed by independent Sudanese news sites report no evidence of a UAE plane entering Sudanese airspace or a crash occurring during the alleged timeframe. International agencies have stated that the earlier reports are "impossible to verify independently."
While Amnesty International did report the presence of UAE-made armored vehicles in Sudan in late 2023, this does not confirm current direct UAE military involvement or mercenary deployment.
The conflict in Sudan, which has been ongoing since April 2023, has resulted in the world's largest displacement and hunger crises, according to the UN. The UAE and Egypt are seen as key external players in the Sudanese conflict, with both nations recently disagreeing on the role of the warring parties in a potential peace process.
As the situation in Sudan continues to unfold, it is crucial that all parties involved provide verifiable evidence to support their claims. Until then, the allegations against the UAE remain unproven.
The UAE and the RSF have denied any involvement in the conflict in Sudan, with UAE officials demanding Sudan provides evidence to support claims of UAE sponsorship and financing of mercenaries and arms shipments. Subsequent investigation by international agencies and independent Sudanese news sites has found no evidence to support the claims of a UAE plane entering Sudanese airspace or a crash occurring during the alleged timeframe. Amidst the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in the world's largest displacement and hunger crises, the allegations against the UAE remain unproven.
