Senior Emirati Officer Killed During Conflict in Sudan
Sudanese news outlets and officials reported the death of an Emirati officer who was fighting alongside the Rapid Support Forces militia, backed by Abu Dhabi, amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
A leader in the civil administration in Sudan, Musleh Nassar, announced the killing of the Emirati officer, “Ahmed bin Tamrouk Al-Dhahouri,” during his participation in the war in the country, while his family announced his death in a traffic accident.
To cover up the unprecedented incident, the Emirati regime promoted Al-Dhahouri’s obituary through local accounts, claiming that he had died in a traffic accident.
A human rights organization said that the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which is characterized by continuing violence and humanitarian crises, has been greatly exacerbated by the secret intervention of the UAE.
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights said in a statement that the UAE is working under the pretext of providing humanitarian aid to refugees, and is secretly supporting one of the parties to the conflict. This includes the provision of advanced weapons and drones, which has led to an increase in violence and a worsening of the humanitarian situation.
The organization reports that the UAE’s activities focus on an airport and a hospital in Amdgrass, a remote town in Chad close to the Sudanese border.
Since June 2023, cargo planes from the UAE have reportedly been arriving there nearly every day. Evidence from Sudan indicates that the UAE is backing the Rapid Support Forces, a prominent paramilitary group connected to Russian mercenaries from Wagner and known for its history of atrocities.
The Rapid Support Forces, led by General Mohamed Hamdan, also known as “Hemedti,” are locked in a brutal conflict with the Sudanese regular army.
This war has tragically resulted in the deaths of 12,000 civilians and the displacement of more than 5.4 million people since April 2023.
The UAE considers Hemedti an important ally, as he is a former militia leader with deep ties to it.
According to the organization, the UAE publicly claims that its operation in “Am Degrasse” is purely humanitarian.
Emirati media have showcased the field hospital, which has allegedly treated more than 6,000 patients since July, highlighting the distribution of aid to local communities.
However, this is selective aid to one party to the conflict. The UAE claims to be helping Sudanese refugees fleeing ethnic violence in the Darfur region, but these claims are deceptive. The main refugee crisis lies hundreds of miles to the south, where more than two million Sudanese refugees live in squalid conditions in overcrowded camps.
The organization stressed that the UAE’s involvement in Sudan is part of a broader strategy to expand its influence throughout the African continent.
The UAE has secured multi-billion-dollar commercial agreements to develop mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, acquire carbon credits in Liberia, and manage ports in Tanzania, Somalia, and Sudan.
This strategic approach aligns with Hemedti’s support, as the UAE views Sudan as a key partner for agricultural resources and offers it access to the Red Sea coast.
In December, the UAE finalized a $6 billion agreement to build a port situated 125 miles north of Port Sudan.
This duality has led to widespread condemnation. Sudanese critics see the UAE’s intervention as a profound violation of the UN Charter and a threat to regional and international security, as the UAE claims to be helping refugees while supporting forces responsible for their displacement and suffering.
The organization determined that the UAE’s covert support for the Rapid Support Forces has significantly intensified the Sudanese civil war, resulting in human rights abuses and numerous fatalities. It emphasized that the UAE’s actions are motivated by strategic interests rather than a genuine dedication to peace and stability.
