Sudan’s air force destroyed a UAE aircraft as it landed at Nyala airport in Darfur. The airport is under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The airstrike killed at least 40 people, according to Sudanese state TV.

A military source told AFP that the “plane was bombed and completely destroyed.” The attack happened during ongoing fighting between the army and the RSF, which began in April 2023.

Plane Brought Fighters and Weapons for RSF

The aircraft had taken off from a Gulf airbase. It carried foreign mercenaries and military equipment meant for the RSF, said state TV.

The Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accused the UAE of arming the RSF. They claim the UAE sent weapons, including drones, through Nyala airport.

The UAE denied these charges. However, several reports by UN experts and US officials support Sudan’s claims. Satellite images from Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab also showed Chinese-made long-range drones at Nyala airport.

Colombia Confirms Involvement

After the airstrike, Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said his government is trying to confirm how many Colombians died. He posted on X,
“We will see if we can bring their bodies back.”

This wasn’t the first report of Colombian fighters in Sudan. UN experts confirmed their presence in Darfur in late 2024. Many of these fighters are ex-soldiers and former guerrillas.

Sudan Alleges UAE Recruited Mercenaries

On Monday, Sudan’s military government accused the UAE of hiring and funding Colombian fighters for the RSF. They claim to have official documents that prove this.

A pro-army coalition in Darfur, called the Joint Forces, reported over 80 Colombian mercenaries fighting in El-Fasher. This is the last Darfur state capital still controlled by the Sudanese army.

The group said several of the Colombians were killed during recent drone and artillery strikes. Sudan’s army also released a video showing alleged Colombian fighters, but AFP could not verify it.

Colombia to Ban Mercenary Activity

In December, Sudan said Colombia’s foreign ministry expressed regret for the involvement of its citizens in the war. Colombian fighters have worked in other global conflicts, including in Yemen. In those cases too, the UAE had hired them.

On Wednesday, President Petro announced that Colombia would act against mercenary recruitment. He wrote, “A trade in men turned into commodities to kill.”

War Deepens Humanitarian Crisis

Sudan’s civil war has entered its third year. It has already killed tens of thousands of people. Over 13 million have fled their homes.

Aid agencies say the country now faces the world’s worst hunger and displacement crisis. Outside interference, including foreign fighters, continues to make the conflict worse.