A series of drone strikes targeted Port Sudan on Tuesday, hitting key military and civilian positions. These attacks marked the third straight day the city’s main port came under fire.
Sudan’s government immediately blamed the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for these assaults. Crucially, Sudan accuses UAE of backing the RSF, labeling the group as an Emirati proxy.
In a televised speech, Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan vowed retaliation. Standing near burning fuel depots, Burhan promised to “defeat this militia and those who support it.”
“The hour of retribution will come,” Burhan firmly declared during the broadcast. Sudan’s state media explicitly referred to his location as “the site of Emirati aggression.”
Following these accusations, Sudan declared the UAE an “aggressor state.” Defence Minister Yassin Ibrahim quickly announced that Sudan would sever diplomatic relations with Abu Dhabi. Consequently, Sudan closed both its embassy and consulate within the UAE.
For several months, international sources have suggested UAE involvement with the RSF. However, the UAE consistently denies providing support, despite allegations by UN experts and U.S. politicians.
Port Sudan previously served as a safe haven for thousands displaced by two years of conflict. Monday’s strike on Sudan’s primary fuel depot significantly worsened the humanitarian crisis in the region. Tuesday’s drone attacks further escalated tensions and undermined security.
Sudan accuses UAE of complicity, intensifying diplomatic hostility between the two nations. With international eyes closely watching, tensions threaten to deepen instability across the broader region.
As fighting persists, humanitarian conditions rapidly deteriorate. Sudan’s government, now publicly pointing fingers abroad, increases the complexity of ongoing diplomatic efforts.
By openly attributing these strikes to external aggression, Sudan accuses UAE directly, setting the stage for international repercussions. The situation remains volatile, leaving regional observers wary of further escalation.
