Sudan Accuses Ethiopia and UAE of Drone Attack on Khartoum Airport, Recalls Envoy

Key facts

• Sudan's foreign minister accused Ethiopia and the UAE of orchestrating drone strikes on Khartoum International Airport, calling it 'direct aggression'.
• The attack hit the airport and military installations in Greater Khartoum on Monday, with no casualties reported.
• Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for 'consultations' over the attack, Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem announced.
• The Sudanese army claimed 'conclusive evidence' that drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia, per state news agency Suna.
• A drone identified as Emirati property was tracked entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia and shot down, military officials said.
• The UAE has previously denied involvement in the Sudanese conflict, while Ethiopia called the accusations 'baseless'.
• The attack came a week after the first international commercial flight in three years landed at the airport, which then suspended operations for 72 hours.
• The airport has been a major battleground in the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since 2023.

A Direct Aggression

Sudan has accused neighbouring Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of orchestrating drone strikes on its main airport, describing the assault as a 'direct aggression' that shatters months of relative calm in the capital. Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem declared that the two countries had chosen the 'wrong path' and would regret their actions, as Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations. The international airport in Khartoum was hit on Monday, along with military installations in the Greater Khartoum area, in an attack that Sudan's information minister confirmed caused no casualties. The strikes abruptly ended a period of relative quiet that had followed the Sudanese military's expulsion of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces from the capital last year.

Evidence Points to Ethiopian Launch Site

The Sudanese army stated it had 'conclusive evidence' that the drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia, according to the state-owned Sudan News Agency. Military officials said they tracked a drone identified as Emirati property entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia and eventually shot it down. A Sudanese army spokesman alleged that a second drone, launched from the same airport, has now been connected to Monday's attack. This follows earlier accusations in March, when Sudanese military officials first blamed the RSF for air attacks launched from inside Ethiopian territory.

Denials and Silence from Accused Parties

Ethiopia has dismissed the accusations as 'baseless', while the UAE has not yet commented on the specific incident. The UAE has previously forcefully rejected claims that it provides military support to the RSF, the paramilitary force fighting Sudan's regular army. The accusations come amid a complex regional dynamic, with Sudan's war between the army and the RSF having drawn in outside powers. The UAE has been a key player in the Horn of Africa, but has consistently denied any military involvement in Sudan's internal conflict.

A Fragile Peace Shattered

The drone strikes struck just a week after the first direct international commercial flight in three years landed at Khartoum airport, a hopeful sign of normalisation after years of conflict. The airport has been a major battleground in the war between the regular army and the RSF, which began in 2023. Following the attacks, Sudanese authorities were forced to announce a 72-hour suspension of airport operations, dealing a blow to the nascent recovery. The airport's closure underscores how fragile the recent calm was and how quickly the conflict can reignite.

Regional Fallout and Diplomatic Strains

Sudan's recall of its ambassador to Ethiopia marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours. Foreign Minister Salem's warning that Ethiopia and the UAE would 'regret' their actions suggests Khartoum is prepared to take further retaliatory steps. Egypt has condemned the drone attack on Khartoum airport, warning of a potential expansion of regional conflict. The incident threatens to draw in more regional actors, as Sudan's war has already destabilised the broader Horn of Africa region.

What Comes Next for Khartoum

The Sudanese military has vowed to respond to the attack, though details of any planned retaliation remain unclear. The government faces the challenge of securing its airspace and preventing further drone incursions while managing the diplomatic fallout. For now, Khartoum airport remains closed to commercial traffic, and the brief window of normalisation has been shut. The attack raises questions about the effectiveness of Sudan's air defences and the extent of foreign involvement in its civil war.

A Conflict with Deepening External Ties

The drone strikes highlight how Sudan's internal war has become increasingly internationalised, with accusations of foreign support for both sides. The UAE's alleged involvement, if proven, would represent a significant escalation in external meddling. As Sudan navigates these accusations, the broader implications for regional stability are profound. The Horn of Africa, already grappling with conflicts in Ethiopia and Somalia, now faces the prospect of a wider conflagration sparked by the Khartoum airport attack.

The bottom line

• Sudan has formally accused Ethiopia and the UAE of orchestrating drone strikes on Khartoum International Airport, calling it 'direct aggression'.
• The Sudanese army claims to have 'conclusive evidence' that drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia, including one identified as Emirati property.
• Ethiopia denies involvement, calling the accusations 'baseless'; the UAE has not commented on this specific incident but has previously denied supporting the RSF.
• The attack came a week after the first international commercial flight in three years landed at the airport, which is now suspended for 72 hours.
• Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations, and Egypt condemned the attack, warning of regional conflict expansion.
• The incident underscores the internationalisation of Sudan's civil war and threatens to destabilise the broader Horn of Africa region.