Sudan Accuses Ethiopia: 162 Drone Attacks Cause Casualties

• Sudan accuses Ethiopia of launching 162 drone attacks from its territory, resulting in over 400 civilian and 102 military deaths.
• The alleged drone strikes targeted 13 Sudanese locations and destroyed dozens of civilian infrastructures, including schools and hospitals.
• Sudan claims drones, including Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci and TB2 models, were launched from Ethiopian bases and that Sudanese forces shot down several.
• Sudanese officials called for international action, stating the attacks aim to prevent displaced people from returning and risk widening the conflict.
• Defence Minister Hassan Daoud Kabroun alleged over 20 countries are supporting the RSF with logistics, mercenaries, funding, and drones, characterizing the conflict as an attempt to destroy Sudan.

Sudan has formally accused Ethiopia of orchestrating 162 drone attacks originating from its territory, leading to significant casualties and widespread destruction.

Sudan has formally accused Ethiopia of orchestrating 162 drone attacks originating from its territory, leading to significant casualties and widespread destruction. These alleged Ethiopian drone strikes in Sudan have reportedly claimed the lives of over 400 civilians and 102 military personnel. The Sudanese government asserts that Ethiopia is actively supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an accusation that Ethiopia has previously dismissed as unfounded. These serious allegations, which remain unverified by independent sources, were presented during a high-level briefing attended by senior military and intelligence officials, alongside undersecretaries from the foreign affairs and information ministries.

The briefing identified numerous locations across Sudan as targets of these alleged drone operations, including El Damazin, El Mazmum, Sennar, Kosti, Rabak, Belong, El Kurmuk, El Dinder, Wad El Mahi, El Obeid, Abu Oileila, Bara, and Umm Rawaba. Beyond the human toll, the attacks are said to have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, with dozens of schools, fuel stations, health centers, and hospitals reportedly destroyed. Officials further detailed that the drones were launched from bases in Assosa, Bahir Dar, and other sites situated along the Sudanese border, following flight paths that ran alongside South Sudan.

Specific types of aircraft allegedly utilized in these operations were also identified, encompassing modified kamikaze drones and various long-range models. Among those named were Chinese-made drones, as well as the Turkish-manufactured Bayraktar Akinci and Bayraktar TB2. Sudanese forces claim to have successfully intercepted and shot down several of these unmanned aerial vehicles, including both Akinci and CH-95 models.

In response to the escalating situation, Muawiya Osman Khalid, the Undersecretary at Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, articulated the government's current approach as one of "strategic patience." However, he firmly underscored that Sudan would not compromise on safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity against these cross-border incursions. Khalid issued a direct appeal to the international community, urging concrete actions to halt what he characterized as aggression that imperils civilian lives and destabilizes the entire region.

Officials at the briefing suggested that the primary objective behind these drone strikes was to impede the return of displaced populations to their homes, particularly within Khartoum, and to undermine ongoing efforts aimed at restoring normalcy to the country. Furthermore, they warned that the continuation of these attacks risks broadening the internal conflict into a wider regional confrontation, ultimately designed to weaken Sudan. The allegations of Ethiopian support for the RSF are central to Sudan's claims of external interference.

Defence Minister Hassan Daoud Kabroun offered a broader perspective on the conflict, asserting that more than 20 countries are implicated in Sudan's war. He alleged that these nations are providing the RSF with crucial logistical support, mercenaries, funding, and drones, thereby fueling the ongoing hostilities. Kabroun, in an interview with the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), rejected the notion that the conflict is merely a civil war or a struggle for power.

Instead, the Defence Minister described the conflict as a deliberate war aimed at dismantling Sudan, plundering its natural resources, and altering its demographic composition. He reiterated the Sudanese government's unwavering commitment to defeating what he termed "the rebellion, militias, and illegal movements." The ultimate goal, he stated, is to secure the nation and work towards establishing a modern, democratic state founded on principles of transparency.

Lawyers should monitor developments regarding potential violations of international law and state sovereignty arising from alleged cross-border drone attacks, which could lead to international legal disputes or sanctions. Compliance officers should assess regional stability risks and potential impacts on business operations or supply chain integrity in Sudan and Ethiopia.

Source: Original reporting via Dabanga