Sudan Accuses Ethiopia and UAE of Orchestrating Drone Strikes on Khartoum Airport

Key facts

• Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
• Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem accused Ethiopia and the UAE of orchestrating drone strikes on Khartoum International Airport.
• The drone strikes hit the airport and military installations in Greater Khartoum on Monday, forcing a 72-hour suspension of operations.
• in the attack.
• Sudan's army claims to have 'conclusive evidence' that drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia dismissed the allegations as 'baseless' and accused Sudan of backing Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels.
• The UAE has not commented on the latest accusations but has previously denied supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• The war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF began in April 2023, with over 150,000 killed and 14 million displaced.

Lede: Drone Strikes Shatter Khartoum's Fragile Calm

A series of drone strikes on Khartoum International Airport and nearby military installations has shattered the relative calm that had returned to the Sudanese capital after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces were pushed out last year. The attack, which occurred on Monday, prompted Sudan to recall its ambassador from Ethiopia and accuse both Addis Ababa and the United Arab Emirates of orchestrating what it called a 'direct aggression'. Sudan's Foreign Minister, Mohieddin Salem, warned that Ethiopia and the UAE had chosen the 'wrong path' and would regret their actions. The airport, which had just received its first international commercial flight in three years last week, was forced to suspend operations for 72 hours.

Evidence and Allegations: Sudan Points to Ethiopian Launch Sites

Sudan's military said it has 'conclusive evidence' that the drones used in Monday's attack were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia, according to the state-owned Sudan News Agency. This is not the first such accusation: in March, Sudanese military officials alleged that the RSF had launched air attacks from inside Ethiopian territory, and they claimed to have tracked and shot down a drone identified as Emirati property entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia. A Sudanese army spokesman said they have now connected another drone, launched from the same Ethiopian airport, to Monday's attack. Sudan's military asserts that it has evidence of four drone attacks launched from Ethiopia since early March, and alleges that the UAE supplied the drones.

Ethiopia's Rebuttal and Counter-Accusations

Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations as 'baseless' and accused Sudan of fomenting unrest by funding rebels in the Tigray region, specifically the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). In a statement issued on May 5, Ethiopia claimed that Sudanese military actors have provided arms and financial support to TPLF groups, whose activities in Sudan are 'a matter of public record.' Ethiopia further alleged that the accusations from Sudanese officials are being driven by external actors pursuing a 'nefarious agenda.' Despite the tensions, Ethiopia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the people of Sudan and maintaining the historic relationship between the two nations. The government also renewed its call for an immediate end to the conflict, stressing that there is no military solution and urging a humanitarian truce followed by a lasting ceasefire and civilian-led political dialogue.

The TPLF Factor and Regional Dimensions

A senior official with the TPLF, Amanuel Assefa, dismissed the federal government's remarks, telling AFP that the TPLF has 'no connections with the Sudanese authorities.' He accused the government of blaming everyone 'but themselves for their failures.' The UAE has not yet reacted to the latest accusations but has repeatedly denied funding the RSF. The paramilitary group has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces for more than three years, a conflict that the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. More than 150,000 people are estimated to have been killed, and about 14 million have been displaced.

Background: The War and the Battle for Khartoum

The war began in April 2023 after a power struggle erupted between the army and the RSF. Khartoum became a major battleground, with the airport frequently targeted. The Sudanese military retook the city from the RSF in March last year, leading to a period of relative calm that allowed more than 1.8 million people to return to the capital. However, much of the city remains without electricity or basic services. Drones have become a central component of the war, used by both sides for reconnaissance and attacks. The latest strikes underscore how fragile the peace in Khartoum remains and how the conflict continues to draw in regional actors.

Stakes and Outlook: A Diplomatic Crisis Unfolds

The recall of Sudan's ambassador from Ethiopia marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbors. Sudan's warning that the aggression will not be 'met with silence' suggests further diplomatic or even military responses may follow. Ethiopia, meanwhile, has accused Sudan of violating its territorial integrity by backing TPLF rebels, though it said it had not publicized these alleged violations because of the 'historic and enduring bond of friendship' between the two countries. With the UAE remaining silent and both Sudan and Ethiopia entrenched in their positions, the immediate outlook is for increased regional instability. The international community, already grappling with the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan, now faces a new front in the conflict that could draw in additional actors and further complicate peace efforts.

Analysis: A Conflict Without Borders

The drone strikes on Khartoum airport and the ensuing diplomatic crisis illustrate how Sudan's civil war has become a regional conflict, with neighboring states and outside powers taking sides. The allegations of UAE involvement, if proven, would mark a significant escalation in external intervention. Ethiopia's counter-accusations of Sudanese support for the TPLF highlight the interconnected nature of the Horn of Africa's conflicts. As both countries trade accusations, the humanitarian toll continues to mount. The UN's estimate of 150,000 dead and 14 million displaced underscores the urgency of a ceasefire, but the latest events suggest that a political solution remains distant. The coming days will likely see further diplomatic maneuvers, but the risk of direct confrontation between Sudan and Ethiopia looms large.

The bottom line

• Sudan has accused Ethiopia and the UAE of orchestrating drone strikes on Khartoum International Airport and recalled its ambassador from Ethiopia.
• Sudan's military claims to have evidence that four drone attacks were launched from Ethiopia since March, with UAE-supplied drones.
• Ethiopia rejected the allegations as 'baseless' and accused Sudan of backing TPLF rebels with arms and financial support.
• The TPLF denied any connection with Sudanese authorities, blaming the Ethiopian government for its own failures.
• The UAE has not commented on the latest accusations but has previously denied supporting the RSF.
• The war has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 14 million, with drones playing a central role in the conflict.