Sudan claims army blasts Emirati aircraft, killing 40 mercenaries

Sudan’s Military Aims to Strike a UAE Plane Carrying Colombian Mercenaries

December 2024 – February 2025 the Sudanese air force reported the destruction of a UAE aircraft at Nyala airport in Darfur. The plane was allegedly carrying Colombian fighters and heavy military gear destined for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). At least 40 lives were lost, according to the army‑aligned state television.

Key Facts

• Target – The UAE plane was bombed and completely destroyed at Nyala, an airport that has been under repeated strikes by Sudan’s army.
• Accusation – The army, led by Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, has long blamed the UAE for supplying advanced weaponry, including drones, to the RSF via Nyala.
• Colombian Mercenaries – The plane was believed to carry dozens of foreign fighters, mainly Colombian mercenaries who have been fighting for the RSF since late 2024.
• International Response – The UAE has denied the accusations. UN experts, US political officials and international organisations have reported on the issue.
• Drone Evidence – Satellite images from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab reveal Chinese‑made long‑range drones at Nyala airport.

Recent Developments

The army’s joint forces, pro‑army in western Darfur, reported over 80 Colombian mercenaries fighting for the RSF in El‑Fasher, the last capital still under army control. Several were killed in drone and artillery operations during the RSF’s latest offensive.

The army released video footage it claimed showed “foreign mercenaries believed to be from Colombia.” AFP could not verify those videos.

Global Context

• Colombian Involvement – Colombian mercenaries, many former soldiers and guerrillas, have appeared in global conflicts and were previously hired by the UAE for operations in Yemen and the Gulf.
• Humanitarian Crisis – Sudan’s war, now in its third year, has killed tens of thousands, displaced 13 million and plunged the nation into the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis.
• UAE Defiance – The UAE’s foreign ministry expressed regret “for the participation of some of its citizens in the war” in December.

Future Outlook

With the RSF’s offensive still underway and the army’s claims of foreign mercenaries growing, the conflict’s dynamics are likely to change in the coming months. International observers remain vigilant, urging the parties to resolve the war’s humanitarian toll.