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Sudan says it destroyed Emirati plane carrying Colombian mercenaries
Sudan’s army announced on Wednesday that its air force destroyed an Emirati aircraft allegedly transporting Colombian mercenaries as it attempted to land at Nyala airport in South Darfur, a zone under the control of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to a military source, the plane was “bombed and completely destroyed” on arrival. No immediate information was provided about potential casualties.
The Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has long accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying weapons and drones to the RSF, which has been fighting government forces since April 2023. Abu Dhabi has consistently denied involvement, despite UN reports pointing to foreign support.
Earlier this week, Sudanese authorities claimed that the UAE recruited and financed Colombian mercenaries to reinforce RSF units, citing documents as evidence. Satellite images and field reports have also suggested the presence of foreign fighters, echoing similar allegations made in late 2024.
Colombian mercenaries, often former soldiers, have previously been hired by the UAE for operations in Yemen and the Gulf. Their reported role in Darfur further illustrates the transnational dimension of the conflict.
Now entering its third year, the war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 13 million people, and pushed the country into what the UN describes as the world’s worst current humanitarian crisis.