“From the Gulf to Darfur: The UAE’s Secret Mercenary Airlift to Fuel Sudan’s War”
Dark Box has obtained exclusive, corroborated information revealing that the United Arab Emirates has escalated its covert military involvement in Sudan’s civil conflict, orchestrating the deployment of foreign mercenaries into Darfur to reinforce the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to well-placed sources and military footage reviewed by Dark Box, an Emirati aircraft — originating from a Gulf airbase — was destroyed while transporting dozens of Colombian fighters and advanced military equipment intended for RSF operations.
The Mercenary Connection
UN experts and Western intelligence officials have long warned of the UAE’s recruitment of Latin American fighters, a practice dating back to its involvement in Yemen. Evidence shows that since late 2024, Colombian mercenaries have been embedded in RSF units across Darfur.
A pro-army coalition in Darfur, the Joint Forces, has recently documented the presence of over 80 Colombian fighters in El-Fasher, North Darfur’s besieged capital. At least several were killed during the RSF’s latest failed attempt to storm the city.
New videos authenticated by Dark Box show these fighters operating near the Zamzam displacement camp, where residents report widespread looting and vehicle theft by foreign combatants. Camp spokesman Mohamed Khamis Douda confirmed via satellite connection that civilians have been directly targeted by these mercenaries.
Nyala — A Hub for Emirati Arms
Nyala Airport in South Darfur has emerged as a critical logistics node in the UAE’s supply chain. Military officials claim that the Emirati air bridge has funneled drones, precision munitions, and armored vehicles to RSF forces.
This is not a standalone allegation — UN monitoring panels, US political officials, and international NGOs have all flagged credible evidence of the UAE’s military pipeline to Darfur. Despite repeated denials from Abu Dhabi, the pattern of supply aligns with satellite imagery and cargo flight data.
Diplomatic Collapse
The fallout has been severe. In May, Sudan’s government formally designated the UAE an “aggressor state” and severed diplomatic relations. This month, the Sudan Civil Aviation Authority accused Abu Dhabi of banning Sudanese aircraft from its airspace and blocking a Sudanese airliner from departing Abu Dhabi — an escalation in the diplomatic war.
Meanwhile, Washington’s latest mediation attempt collapsed in part because of sharp disagreements between Egypt and the UAE, both seen as the primary external power brokers. The dispute centers on the future political role of RSF leadership — with Cairo pushing for their marginalization and Abu Dhabi resisting.
Why This Matters
The UAE’s use of foreign mercenaries in Sudan is not simply a battlefield tactic — it’s part of a larger Gulf strategy to secure influence in the Red Sea corridor and extract leverage over any post-war political settlement. By arming and staffing one side of the conflict, Abu Dhabi is not just extending the war — it’s actively shaping the region’s future borders, alliances, and economic corridors.
Dark Box will continue to investigate the financing networks, recruitment pipelines, and regional actors enabling this operation.
