In a dramatic and unprecedented development, Sudan has officially accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of directly carrying out drone strikes on Port Sudan, a strategic Red Sea city that had previously remained a stronghold of relative peace in the country’s brutal civil war. The accusation, made public by Sudan’s envoy to the United Nations, marks a sharp escalation in regional tensions and adds a new layer of complexity to the conflict that has gripped Sudan since April 2023.
The allegation signals a potential turning point in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, with accusations of foreign intervention taking center stage. If verified, this would be the first documented instance of a foreign nation directly launching military strikes within Sudanese territory in this conflict.
The Allegation: Direct UAE Military Action
Sudan’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Al-Harith Idris, delivered a strongly worded statement accusing the UAE of launching a direct military assault on Port Sudan on May 4, 2025. According to Idris, multiple MQ-9 or MQ-9B drones—sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicles capable of long-range precision strikes—were launched from a UAE base on the Red Sea. These drones, reportedly aided by UAE naval support, carried out coordinated strikes targeting key infrastructure in the city, including the airport, army bases, and fuel depots.
The ambassador further alleged that this strike was a retaliatory move after Sudanese forces had downed a suspected UAE warplane over RSF-held Nyala just a day earlier. That strike reportedly killed 13 foreign individuals, some of whom were identified as “Emirati elements,” sparking outrage in Abu Dhabi.
Sudan has since formally severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, and the government in Khartoum has submitted requests to the UN Security Council, the African Union, and the Arab League for a thorough international investigation into the incident. They argue that the UAE’s actions, if substantiated, represent not only a violation of Sudan’s sovereignty but also an overt act of war that destabilizes an already volatile region.
UAE Denies Involvement
The UAE has categorically denied all allegations, calling them “baseless and inflammatory.” A senior official from the Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public rebuttal stating, “It is deeply regrettable that the Port Sudan authorities continue to perpetrate violence against their own citizens, yet seek to deflect blame from their own responsibility by making unfounded accusations against other nations.”
The UAE maintains that it has consistently supported diplomatic solutions and humanitarian efforts in Sudan and that it plays no part in the military dynamics between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Emirati leaders have called for de-escalation and renewed peace negotiations but have not addressed the allegations of weapons transfers or prior indirect support to RSF militias.
Port Sudan: From Safe Haven to Target
Port Sudan had been a symbol of governmental authority and comparative calm throughout much of the civil war. As Khartoum, Nyala, El Obeid, and other urban centers fell into intense combat zones, Port Sudan served as the de facto administrative capital for the SAF and housed key international missions, humanitarian agencies, and diplomatic personnel.
The May 4 drone strikes shattered that semblance of stability. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions near the city’s main airport and logistical hubs. Power stations and fuel depots were hit, leading to widespread blackouts and water shortages. Several civilian homes near military installations were damaged, displacing families who had already fled violence elsewhere.
Strategically, Port Sudan is vital. Situated on the Red Sea, it is a critical maritime gateway for humanitarian aid and foreign trade. The attacks have raised alarms among global maritime operators, prompting concerns over the security of Red Sea shipping routes and the potential for broader regional conflict.
Sudan’s Civil War and Foreign Entanglements
Sudan’s civil war, now into its third year, began over a dispute regarding the integration of the RSF into the national army following a coup in 2021. What began as a political disagreement quickly devolved into full-scale warfare, with both the SAF and RSF committing atrocities against civilians, looting, and disrupting critical infrastructure.
The conflict has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Over 12 million people have been displaced, and the death toll has surpassed 150,000. Ethnic cleansing campaigns, particularly in the Darfur region, have led to international condemnation, primarily directed at RSF commander General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemeti.
While the civil war was initially framed as an internal power struggle, international actors have increasingly become involved, often covertly. The RSF has reportedly received sophisticated drone technology, precision-guided munitions, and financial support from foreign backers, including—allegedly—the UAE and other regional players. In contrast, the SAF has sought support from nations like Turkey and Iran, who have supplied surveillance drones and other military equipment.
The UAE’s alleged involvement, if confirmed, would suggest a more direct and aggressive stance than previously understood. Until now, accusations focused primarily on covert arms transfers and funding; a drone strike represents a significant shift toward overt military engagement.
The Geopolitical Chessboard
Sudan’s location—bordering the Red Sea, Egypt, Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan—makes it a geopolitical linchpin. The civil war has the potential to destabilize the entire Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor, a region already plagued by piracy, civil unrest, and economic instability.
The UAE’s strategic interests in Sudan are multifaceted. Economically, Sudan offers valuable port infrastructure and untapped natural resources. Politically, it is a venue for regional influence against rivals like Turkey and Iran. The UAE has invested heavily in Red Sea ports, and a pro-Emirati government in Sudan would align with its broader regional ambitions.
From Sudan’s perspective, the UAE’s alleged aggression is more than an act of war—it’s an attempt to reshape the political landscape in favor of Hemeti’s RSF. The SAF claims that the RSF is being positioned by the UAE to become a new proxy power in the region, similar to the role that groups like the Libyan National Army play in North Africa.
International Reactions and Next Steps
The international community has responded cautiously to the allegations. The UN has called for an impartial investigation into the drone strikes, while human rights organizations have urged transparency and accountability. The African Union and Arab League have scheduled emergency meetings to address the fallout.
So far, no country has openly supported Sudan’s claim, nor has any independent verification of the drone strike’s origin been provided. However, satellite imagery and surveillance data from third-party intelligence groups may soon provide evidence to support or refute the Sudanese government’s accusations.
Humanitarian agencies, meanwhile, are sounding alarms. The damage to Port Sudan’s infrastructure jeopardizes aid routes to millions of displaced individuals. A further escalation could severely hinder food, water, and medical supply chains in both urban and rural areas already on the brink of collapse.
A Tipping Point?
As the dust settles on the May 4 drone strike, one thing is clear: the Sudanese conflict is no longer a domestic affair. Allegations of foreign military involvement, especially against a heavyweight like the UAE, pull the crisis into the broader geopolitical arena. Whether these accusations spark international intervention, formal sanctions, or a redrawing of diplomatic alliances remains to be seen.
For now, Sudan remains a nation in torment—its skies darkened by drones, its cities bombarded by rival factions, and its people caught in the crossfire of both internal betrayal and international ambition. The world watches with bated breath as one of Africa’s most pivotal nations teeters between collapse and transformation.
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