Port Sudan, Aug 7: Sudan’s military has claimed its air force destroyed a United Arab Emirates (UAE) aircraft carrying foreign fighters as it landed at a paramilitary-controlled airport in Darfur, killing at least 40 Colombian mercenaries.
State-run television, aligned with the Sudanese army, reported on Wednesday that the aircraft was “bombed and completely destroyed” at Nyala airport in South Darfur. A military source confirmed to AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the aircraft was targeted while attempting to land.
The attack marks a significant escalation in Sudan’s 16-month-long war between the regular army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
UAE, RSF Yet to Respond
There has been no official response from the RSF or the UAE regarding the reported strike. However, the Sudanese army has repeatedly accused the UAE of supplying advanced weaponry, including Chinese-made drones, to the RSF through Darfur, allegations Abu Dhabi has consistently denied.
The destroyed aircraft reportedly departed from an unspecified airbase in the Gulf region, carrying dozens of foreign mercenaries and military equipment intended for RSF forces.
Colombian Involvement Confirmed
Colombian President Gustavo Petro acknowledged reports that his countrymen were aboard the aircraft and said efforts were underway to determine the number of Colombian casualties. “We will see if we can bring their bodies back,” Petro posted on social media platform X.
Petro also condemned the use of Colombian nationals in foreign conflicts, calling mercenary activity “a trade in men turned into commodities to kill.” He announced moves to ban Colombian citizens from engaging in mercenary work.
Colombian fighters, often former soldiers or guerrillas, have a history of being hired by foreign militaries. The UAE previously employed them for operations in Yemen and the Gulf.
Mounting Evidence and Escalation
Recent satellite imagery from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab has shown long-range Chinese drones operating at Nyala airport—evidence that supports allegations of foreign military support to the RSF.
Earlier this week, Sudan’s army-aligned civilian government accused the UAE of recruiting and funding Colombian fighters for the RSF, claiming it possessed documented proof. UN experts and other international observers have confirmed the presence of Colombian mercenaries in Darfur since late 2024.
On Monday, the pro-army Joint Forces coalition in Darfur reported over 80 Colombian fighters battling alongside RSF troops in El-Fasher—the last Darfur state capital still held by the army. Several were reportedly killed in recent drone and artillery strikes.
The Sudanese military also released video footage purportedly showing Colombian mercenaries captured or killed in the fighting. AFP has not independently verified the authenticity of the videos.
A Nation in Collapse
Sudan’s civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has plunged the country into a humanitarian catastrophe. Tens of thousands have been killed, over 13 million displaced, and the UN warns of the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis.
As international actors grow increasingly entangled in the conflict, experts warn that Sudan is becoming a battleground for proxy wars—with devastating consequences for its civilians.
