In a significant turn of events, reports indicate that Iran has supplied combat drones to the Sudanese army, escalating tensions in the ongoing war. Senior Western officials, as cited by Bloomberg, have disclosed the covert military support provided by Iran to Sudan. This conflict, which commenced on April 15, 2023, involves forces loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
Recent months have witnessed a surge in the RSF, gaining ground at the expense of the army, particularly in strategic locations like Darfur and Gezira. The delivery of Mohajer-6, a single-engine unmanned aircraft from Iran equipped with precision-guided munitions, has added complexity to the conflict. Three Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, have confirmed the supply of Mohajer-6 drones to Sudan.
Satellite imagery analysis by experts has substantiated the presence of Mohajer-6 drones in Sudan. A Jan. 9 satellite image revealed the UAV at the Wadi Sayyidna air base north of Khartoum. Wim Zwijnenburg, project leader of humanitarian disarmament at PAX, identified a radio antenna from a control center inside a truck on the airstrip, providing additional evidence of the UAV's operational use.
According to US officials, the Mohajer-6 possesses capabilities for air-to-surface attacks, electronic warfare, and battlefield targeting. The repercussions extend beyond the immediate conflict, potentially strengthening Tehran’s military influence in the broader Middle East.
Sudan's geopolitical significance, with an 800 km Red Sea coastline, has attracted major powers such as the US, China, Russia, and Türkiye in a competition for influence. The growing influence of Iran in Sudan has raised international concerns, particularly as it seeks to regain an ally along the Red Sea.
Despite Sudan severing diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016, recent developments suggest a thaw in relations. Last October, Sudan's foreign ministry announced the resumption of diplomatic relations, with ongoing discussions about reopening embassies. A meeting between Sudan's Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq and Iranian First Vice President Mohamed Mokhber indicates potential progress in rekindling bilateral relations.
The international community has taken note of the situation, with the United States accusing Iran of supplying Mohajer-6 drones to Russia in the conflict against Ukraine. In response, Washington expanded Iran-related sanctions, citing Tehran’s “continued, deliberate proliferation of UAVs enabling Russia, its proxies in the Middle East, and other destabilizing actors.”
The deployment of Mohajer-6 drones in Sudan introduces a new dimension to the ongoing conflict, with profound implications for the region's geopolitics. As Iran enhances its military presence in Sudan, the international community closely monitors the potential consequences on regional stability and the Middle East's balance of power.
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