Sudan accuses Ethiopia and UAE of orchestrating drone attacks on Khartoum airport

May 6, 2026

Sudan has accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of orchestrating drone attacks on Khartoum International Airport, claiming four strikes have been launched from Ethiopian territory since early March using UAE-supplied drones, prompting Sudan to recall its ambassador from Addis Ababa. Ethiopia dismissed the allegations as baseless and counter-accused Sudan of funding Tigray rebels, while the UAE has repeatedly denied involvement in Sudan's conflict. The accusations come amid Sudan's ongoing civil war that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, which has killed over 150,000 people and displaced 14 million according to the United Nations. International analysts note both countries face massive internal challenges and view each other as supporting their armed opponents, with foreign military support proving essential to sustaining the conflict.

Sudan's accusations of Ethiopian and UAE involvement in drone attacks

▪Sudan's military said four drone attacks have been launched from Ethiopia since early March.
▪Sudan accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of being behind an attack on Khartoum International Airport that forced authorities to suspend operations for three days.
▪Sudan's military alleged that the United Arab Emirates supplied the drones used in attacks launched from Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and UAE responses and denials

▪Ethiopia accused Sudan of fomenting unrest by funding rebels in the Tigray region, specifically the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

Regional escalation and foreign interference in Sudan's civil war

▪Sudan's war began in April 2023 after a power struggle erupted between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.
▪About 14 million people have been displaced in Sudan's war, according to the United Nations.
▪More than 1.8 million people have returned to Khartoum in recent months.
▪More than 150,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Sudan's war, according to the United Nations.
▪The Sudanese Armed Forces retook Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces in March of the previous year.