Iran stands accused of breaching a UN arms embargo by supplying drones to warring factions in Sudan’s devastating 14-month conflict.
On March 12, 2024, Sudanese general al-Burhan’s troops (SAF) celebrated a military victory in Khartoum when they recaptured the state broadcaster’s headquarters.
Videos of the operation revealed the use of Iranian-made drones, marking a shift from earlier reliance on the air force.
According to Suliman Baldo from the Sudan Transparency and Policy Observatory, initial military strategies faltered due to ground forces being besieged.
In January 2024, a Twitter-posted video depicted an army drone downed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Drone expert Wim Zwijnenburg identified it as a Mohajer-6, manufactured by Iran, noted for its 6.5-meter length and capability for guided munitions strikes. Further satellite imagery from Wadi Seidna military base revealed additional drones matching Iranian models, confirming their active deployment.
Moreover, evidence emerged of an Iranian cargo plane repeatedly visiting Port Sudan from Bandar Abbas, Iran, coinciding with the documented use of Iranian drones in January.
Despite Sudanese military denials of direct weapon acquisitions from Iran, Zwijnenburg highlighted that the guided munitions used imply Iranian supply, as Sudan lacks production capabilities for such technology.
The UN has also been alerted to flights allegedly transporting arms from the UAE to the RSF via an air bridge spanning Abu Dhabi, Nairobi, Kampala, and Amdjarass in Chad, near Sudan’s western border.
The UAE denies these flights carried weapons, asserting they delivered humanitarian aid instead, emphasizing their commitment to a peaceful resolution.
In summary, the use of drones by Burhan’s forces in Sudan’s civil war violates a 2005 UN Security Council resolution prohibiting arms supplies to Sudanese factions.
As casualties rise and millions are displaced, calls intensify for a comprehensive arms embargo on Sudan to halt external military support and pave the way for peace negotiations.
