Sudan Accuses UAE and Ethiopia of Direct Military Aggression Through Airport Drone Strikes

2026-05-05 region

Khartoum, 5 May 2026
Sudan’s military has formally accused the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia of orchestrating drone attacks on Khartoum International Airport, presenting what they claim is conclusive evidence including tracked serial numbers of Emirati drones launched from Ethiopian territory. The accusations, made during a joint press conference on Tuesday, mark a dramatic escalation in regional tensions as Sudan recalls its ambassador from Addis Ababa and warns of potential military retaliation. The strikes shattered months of relative calm in the capital, targeting the airport that had just received its first international flight in three years last week, alongside residential areas and military installations.

Technical Evidence Points to Ethiopian Launch Sites

During the early hours of Tuesday, 5 May 2026, Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem and military spokesperson Asim Awad Abd al-Wahab presented what they described as ‘conclusive evidence’ that the drones were launched from Bahir Dar airport in Ethiopia [1]. Military officials provided technical data alleging that a drone with the serial number S88, identified as Emirati property, was tracked entering Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia [1]. According to the military, this specific aircraft was involved in strikes across the Blue Nile and Kordofan regions before being intercepted and downed near El Obeid in March [1]. The military spokesperson further alleged that a separate drone launched from the same Ethiopian facility breached airspace on 1 May, targeting the capital’s airport before being repelled by air defences [1].

Escalating Drone Campaign Breaks Capital’s Calm

The Monday attacks targeted multiple strategic locations including Khartoum International Airport, residential districts, and several military installations, including the Signal Corps base in Khartoum North and the al-Markhiyat training centre in Omdurman [1]. The strikes have shattered months of relative calm in the capital, where people, ministries, and agencies had been returning since March 2025 [2]. Khartoum International Airport, which received its first international flight in three years last week, was among the primary targets [2]. The weekend preceding the airport attack saw additional drone strikes across the region, with witnesses reporting attacks in Omdurman, al-Obeid, and Kenana [2].

Civilian Casualties Mount as Conflict Intensifies

The recent escalation has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with a drone strike on 2 May in southern Omdurman killing five people on a civilian bus [2]. Another strike on 3 May killed family members of Abu Agla Keikal, a tribal militia leader allied with the army [2]. These attacks come as the conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army continues, having started due to disagreements over integrating forces and transitioning to democracy [2]. At least 59,000 people have been killed in this war, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data, though aid groups say the true toll could be much higher due to limited access to fighting areas [5].

Regional Implications and Diplomatic Fallout

Sudan has formally recalled its ambassador to Addis Ababa for consultations following the incident [4]. Foreign Minister Salem warned that Sudan is prepared for ‘all scenarios,’ including direct military confrontation, to defend its sovereignty and national security against continued aerial incursions [1]. Brigadier General Asim Awad Abdelwahab stated that ‘What Ethiopia and the UAE have done is direct aggression against Sudan and won’t be met with silence’ [2]. Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry rejected the accusations on Tuesday, while also claiming that the Sudanese Armed Forces have been arming mercenaries opposed to the central government in Tigray and providing financial support for incursions along Ethiopia’s western frontier [5]. The UAE has previously been accused of supporting the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries since 2023, allegations that Abu Dhabi denies [2][4]. In February 2026, Reuters reported that Ethiopia was hosting a camp to train RSF fighters and had upgraded the Asosa airport for drone operations [2].

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Sudan conflict drone attacks