Khartoum – Sudan’s military-led government has formally severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, declaring it a “state of aggression” after a series of strategic drone strikes hit Port Sudan, the Red Sea port and temporary administrative capital.
The Security and Defence Council, chaired by General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, made the declaration on May 6, following three consecutive days of drone attacks targeting vital infrastructure—including the airport, naval base, power station, fuel depots, hotels, and port facilities. Sudan accuses the UAE of supplying advanced “kamikaze” drones to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a claim the UAE strongly denies.
Strategic and Humanitarian Fallout
The Port Sudan strikes represent a dramatic escalation of the ongoing civil war between Sudan’s army and the RSF, which has now spread into the country’s eastern coastal region, formerly a humanitarian safe zone.
The assaults disrupted airport operations and triggered widespread power and water outages, risking further displacement of thousands of civilians already caught in a large-scale humanitarian crisis.
International actors, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Djibouti, and the UN, have emphatically condemned the attacks and supported Sudan’s decision to break off relations.
Legal and Regional Implications
Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Sudanese government asserts its right to self-defence. The RSF’s use of drones—allegedly supplied via the UAE from multiple air corridors—has drawn scrutiny under the UN-imposed arms embargo.
Earlier this year, Sudanic officials had filed a genocide case against Abu Dhabi at the International Court of Justice; the court later dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction.
Broader Context
The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hemedti”), has ramped up drone strikes to compensate for battlefield losses. Analysts note this change in strategy could destabilize the Red Sea coastline and threaten international shipping lanes.
Sudan’s decision to break with the UAE risks harming economic ties—Abu Dhabi has been a major purchaser of Sudanese gold and host to key banking services. Some analysts caution that Sudan may jeopardize its own economy at a critical juncture.
