Sudan blames Ethiopia and UAE for recent drone attacks

Sudan Accuses Ethiopia and UAE of Drone Attacks

The Sudanese government has accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of being behind four drone attacks launched from neighboring Ethiopia since early March. The allegations claim that the UAE supplied the drones, which were used to target Khartoum International Airport, forcing authorities to suspend operations for three days.

In response, Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and accused Sudan of funding rebels in the Tigray region. The ministry stated that it had not publicly disclosed alleged violations of its territorial integrity due to a shared historical bond with Sudan.

A senior official from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) denied any connections with the Sudanese authorities, stating that the government was blaming others for their failures. The UAE has repeatedly denied funding the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces.

The conflict began in April 2023 after a power struggle between the army and the RSF. Over 1.8 million people have returned to Khartoum, but much of the city remains without electricity or basic services. Drones have become a central component of the war, which has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths and 14 million displacements.

The International Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa director, Alan Boswell, warned that Sudan’s accusation against Ethiopia marks a new phase in the conflict, with both countries facing internal challenges. He noted that suspicion between the two nations creates a “dangerous dynamic” that risks exacerbating their internal issues.

Source: Al Jazeera