A Sudanese airstrike on Nyala airport in the conflict-torn Darfur region has reportedly killed at least 40 suspected Colombian mercenaries and destroyed a shipment of arms and equipment allegedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudanese officials claim the strike also destroyed an Emirati military aircraft, describing it as a “new equation of deterrence” against foreign interference.
The UAE has denied the allegations, calling them “unfounded” and part of an “ongoing campaign of disinformation.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered an investigation into the reported deaths of his nationals.
The Nyala airport, seized by RSF last year, has been accused by the Sudanese military of being converted into a military hub for arms deliveries and gold smuggling. The United Nations confirmed earlier this year that Colombian mercenaries were present in Darfur, hired by a private security firm to assist RSF. Tensions between Sudan and the UAE have escalated sharply, with Sudan severing diplomatic ties earlier this year over Abu Dhabi’s alleged support for RSF. In a further sign of strain, Sudan’s aviation authority said UAE airports have barred Sudanese planes from landing or taking off.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis deepens in Darfur as RSF maintains a complete blockade on el-Fasher, the last major city in the region under military control. According to satellite analysis by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab, all routes in and out of the city are controlled by RSF checkpoints, with civilians facing bombardments targeting markets, schools, and mosques. Earlier this year, RSF forces overran the Zamzam displacement camp near el-Fasher, killing hundreds and forcing thousands to flee, underscoring the intensifying brutality of Sudan’s civil war.