Iranian UAVs and support from the UAE are prolonging the Sudan conflict between SAF and RSF. The influx of drones enhances military capabilities while violating a UN arms embargo. Humanitarian crises escalate, and international peace efforts are hindered due to ongoing violence and external military support.
Since January, Iranian cargo aircraft have been making frequent appearances at the Port Sudan airport, which serves as the operational base for the ruling Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The arrival of these Iranian aircraft coincided with the SAF launching offensive actions against the opposing Rapid Support Forces (RSF), utilizing Iranian-manufactured Mohajer-6 drones to significantly enhance their combat capabilities. In contrast, the RSF has received support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia, which have supplied weapons and resources, including drones designed to deploy mortar shells.
Drones have emerged as essential tools in the ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF, reflecting both sides’ reliance on foreign military supplies to fortify their positions in this struggle for control over Sudan’s natural resources. The provision of foreign-made drones is in violation of a United Nations arms embargo aimed at curtailing military support to Sudan. Reports indicate that much of the material supplied to the RSF by the UAE and Russia has flowed through neighboring countries like Chad and Libya, raising concerns over clandestine support methods disguising military aid as humanitarian assistance.
According to evidence gathered by a United Nations report, the UAE has been accused of masking military aid in the form of humanitarian deliveries intended for displaced persons in Chad. Furthermore, the mercenary outfit known as Africa Corps, formerly the Wagner Group, has reportedly smuggled advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missiles, to the RSF. Meanwhile, Russia expresses official backing for the SAF under President Vladimir Putin’s strategy to establish a foothold in Sudan, particularly along the strategic Red Sea coast.
The RSF has, on several occasions, deployed their drones to target not only SAF installations but also civilian infrastructure, resulting in significant casualties and widespread suffering. For instance, the RSF has targeted civilian hospitals, and the SAF has launched drone attacks on marketplaces resulting in numerous deaths. The surge in Iranian drone supplies has enabled the SAF to regain control of critical areas, including state media facilities in Omdurman, Sudan’s largest city, thereby escalating the violence further.
Tragically, since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023, over 15,000 individuals have lost their lives, with millions displaced from their homes. Experts caution that these figures are likely underestimated due to the inaccessibility of certain areas within the country. The humanitarian impact of the conflict has led to dire consequences, particularly in North Darfur, where inaccessible healthcare facilities have resulted in rising mortality rates among vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women.
The ongoing influx of drones and military supplies is expected to perpetuate the conflict, confounding international efforts aimed at negotiating a peaceful resolution. Despite diplomatic overtures, such as peace talks in Jeddah, the SAF’s refusal to participate further complicates the situation. Hamid Khalafallah, a Sudan expert, emphasized the significant role of foreign support in prolonging the conflict by stating, “If the UAE withdraws its support and cuts ties with the RSF today, there’s an 80 percent chance the war might end tomorrow.”
The ongoing conflict in Sudan primarily involves two factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) backed by Iranian drone supplies, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which receives support from the UAE and Russia. This situation stems from a struggle for control over the country’s resources amidst a backdrop of widespread violence and humanitarian crises. The influx of foreign military support, particularly drones, has escalated the conflict and undermined efforts toward achieving peace, complicating the humanitarian landscape in affected regions.
The conflict in Sudan is intensifying, driven by foreign military support that has introduced advanced drones into the combat landscape, thereby prolonging violence and undermining peace efforts. The dynamics of support from countries like Iran, the UAE, and Russia create a complex environment that hampers humanitarian access and increases civilian suffering. Until external powers reconsider their involvement and support, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, perpetuating the conflict and its severe ramifications for the Sudanese populace.
Original Source: www.defenceweb.co.za
