Sudan’s military has levelled serious allegations against the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, accusing both countries of involvement in a recent drone attack targeting the capital, Khartoum. The incident marks a sharp escalation in hostilities and threatens to derail months of relative calm in the war-ravaged city.
According to the Sudanese Armed Forces, the drone strike part of a wider wave of aerial attacks hit Khartoum International Airport, a critical infrastructure site that had only recently resumed limited operations following years of conflict disruption. Military spokesperson Brigadier General Asim Awad Abdelwahab claimed that intelligence gathered from a downed drone linked the operation to Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar airport, with alleged connections to the UAE.
He described the incident as “direct aggression,” warning that Sudan would not remain silent in the face of what it considers external interference in its internal conflict.
Denials and Rising Diplomatic Tensions
In a swift response, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations as “baseless,” firmly denying any involvement in the attack. Addis Ababa also accused Sudan’s military of supporting hostile groups and violating Ethiopian sovereignty, further deepening tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
The United Arab Emirates has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. However, Sudan has repeatedly accused the Gulf state of backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) a claim the UAE has consistently denied.
Renewed Violence After Brief Calm
The latest strikes come at a delicate moment. Following the army’s recapture of Khartoum in March 2025, there had been cautious signs of recovery, with government ministries, civilians, and international agencies gradually returning to the. The reopening of the airport to international flights its first in nearly three years was widely seen as a milestone in the city’s stabilization.
That progress now appears under threat.
Residents report that drone attacks since last Friday have struck both military installations and civilian areas across Khartoum and its twin city, Omdurman, as well as other regions including al-Obeid and Kenana. While Sudan’s Information Ministry said the airport attack caused no casualties or major damage, other incidents have proven deadly. Activist groups report that at least five civilians were killed when a drone struck a bus in Omdurman, while another attack claimed the lives of relatives of a pro-army militia leader.
Drones Reshape the Battlefield
Drone warfare has increasingly become the defining feature of the Sudanese conflict, offering both sides the ability to strike deep into contested territory with minimal risk. The ongoing war primarily between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has evolved into a complex, multi-front confrontation marked by shifting alliances and external accusations.
The conflict, which erupted in 2023 over disagreements on military integration and a transition to civilian rule, has since spiraled into what the United Nations describes as one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Hundreds of thousands have died due to violence, hunger, and disease, while millions have been displaced internally and across borders.
Shifting Alliances and Internal Fractures
Recent developments also point to growing fractures within armed factions. High-profile defections from the RSF including senior commanders joining the army have added new layers of tension and uncertainty. Analysts warn that such internal shifts could intensify competition within alliances and provoke further violence.
Meanwhile, the RSF, which initially seized control of Khartoum at the onset of the war, has largely been pushed out of the capital but maintains strongholds in western Sudan, particularly in Darfur, and has opened new fronts near the Ethiopian border in Blue Nile State.
A Conflict with Regional Implications
Sudan’s accusations against Ethiopia and the UAE risk widening the conflict beyond its borders, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation. The strategic location of Sudan, coupled with competing geopolitical interests in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor, makes any escalation particularly concerning for international stability.
As investigations continue and diplomatic responses unfold, the situation remains fluid. What is clear, however, is that the fragile progress toward stability in Khartoum is once again under threat, with renewed violence underscoring the enduring volatility of Sudan’s protracted war.
