Sudan’s government has formally accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of launching a drone strike on Port Sudan earlier this month, marking the first direct allegation of Emirati military involvement in the country’s ongoing civil war. Speaking before the United Nations in New York on Monday, Sudan’s UN Ambassador Al-Harith Idriss claimed the May 4 airstrike was launched from a UAE military base, with logistical support from Emirati naval vessels operating in the Red Sea. The attack reportedly targeted army-controlled infrastructure in Port Sudan, previously regarded as a safe zone for government officials, foreign diplomats, and humanitarian operations.
According to Idriss, the strike was retaliation for a Sudanese army attack the day before on an alleged Emirati aircraft stationed in RSF-controlled Nyala. Khartoum has already severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, accusing it of funding, arming, and logistically supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudan’s main paramilitary rival.
This latest accusation intensifies suspicions of foreign interference in Sudan’s civil war, now in its third year, and comes amid a surge in drone attacks on Port Sudan, including strikes on military installations, the airport, and fuel depots. The UAE has denied previous allegations of involvement in the conflict and has not yet responded to this latest claim. The Sudanese government has called on the UN, African Union, and Arab League to investigate the alleged drone strike and hold those responsible accountable.
The war, ignited by a power struggle over Sudan’s stalled transition to civilian rule, has devastated the country—displacing over 13 million people, crippling infrastructure, and killing tens of thousands. It has also fueled widespread famine and disease outbreaks, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
