Exclusive: UAE Flights Linked to Sudan War Tracked from Israel to Ethiopia
In a startling revelation, cargo planes connected to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been tracked flying between military bases in Abu Dhabi, Israel, Bahrain, and Ethiopia. These flights, which have raised eyebrows, come at a time when the UAE is entangled in a spiralling power struggle with Saudi Arabia across Yemen and the Horn of Africa.
Background of the Conflict
The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has become a significant part of this regional struggle. Saudi Arabia, alongside Egypt and Turkey, has stepped up its military support for the SAF in an attempt to counteract the UAE’s longstanding patronage of the RSF. This has led to a complex web of alliances and rivalries that are reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and Africa.
UAE’s Strategic Shift
Recent developments have seen the UAE forced to withdraw from its key military base in Bosaso on the Somali coastline after Saudi Arabia launched military action to oust the Emirati-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) from the Yemeni port city of Aden. The uncertainty at the UAE’s bases in Berbera and Bosaso, after the Somali government cancelled all its agreements with the UAE, has led to Emirati personnel being redeployed to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s Growing Importance
According to multiple sources, including a former Ethiopian government adviser, Ethiopia is now crucial to the UAE’s strategy in the region. The adviser stated that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali “certainly seems to see the future as Ethiopia aligning itself firmly with the UAE alliance rather than other options.” This realignment is part of a broader effort by the UAE to secure its interests in the Horn of Africa amid regional instability.
The Role of Cargo Flights
The cargo plane in question, an Antonov An-124 Maximus Air Cargo previously linked to the supply of weapons to UAE-backed fighters in Sudan and Libya, has made several flights across the Middle East and Horn of Africa. While the exact purpose of these flights remains unclear, they have taken place against a backdrop of intensified regional tensions and strategic shifts.
Implications for Regional Stability
Analyst Jalel Harchaoui noted that since the onset of the war in Sudan, “the UAE has acted with greater speed, audacity, and financial commitment than any other foreign interferer.” However, Saudi Arabia’s “victory over the UAE in Yemen late last year has strengthened Riyadh’s regional credibility,” and the Saudis are now “spending aggressively to alter the trajectory of the Sudan war.”
Harchaoui further added, “While several regional actors will adjust to Riyadh’s overtures, Ethiopia will not. Addis Ababa will stick with the UAE. The Emiratis are therefore focusing military operations on Ethiopian territory, preparing a major offensive as Saudi actions have disrupted other staging areas.”
Humanitarian Crisis and Regional Impact
The war in Sudan has led to the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with millions displaced and in need of urgent assistance. The involvement of regional powers like the UAE and Saudi Arabia has only added to the complexity of the situation, making it difficult to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Potential for Escalation
As the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue their power struggle, there are concerns of a new escalation in the Sudan war. The redeployment of Emirati personnel to Ethiopia and the strategic importance of the country in the UAE’s plans suggest that the region could see further tensions and potential conflicts in the near future.
Conclusion
The tracking of UAE flights linked to the Sudan war highlights the intricate and volatile nature of regional politics in the Middle East and Africa. As the UAE and Saudi Arabia vie for influence, the humanitarian and geopolitical consequences could be far-reaching. The coming months will likely reveal more about the UAE’s strategic moves and their impact on the stability of the region.
