Sudan has formally accused Ethiopia of allowing drones to be launched from its territory into Sudan in February and March, escalating the three-year civil war that has already displaced millions. The Sudanese foreign ministry described the attacks as “a blatant violation of Sudanese sovereignty and an outright act of aggression,” warning that the country reserves the right to defend its territorial integrity by all available means.
The accusation is the first time Sudan has directly implicated Ethiopia in its deadly conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ministry did not specify the locations of the drone strikes, but eyewitnesses report recent attacks and skirmishes in the southeastern Blue Nile state, which borders Ethiopia. Parts of this region are controlled by the SPLM-N rebel group, which allied with the RSF last year, further complicating the situation on the ground.
The Sudanese army has long battled the RSF across the country, with the paramilitary group controlling Darfur in the west and the army holding the eastern half. The two sides are also locked in fierce fighting over Kordofan, a central region lying between their zones of control. The increasing use of drones has shifted the balance, enabling the RSF to challenge the army’s air advantage while causing significant civilian casualties.
Sudan’s statement follows previous reports alleging that Ethiopia has hosted a secret training camp for thousands of RSF fighters, a claim that Ethiopia has not publicly addressed. Requests for comment from Ethiopia’s prime minister’s office, the Ethiopian military, and the RSF have not been answered, and Reuters has not independently verified the drone launches from Ethiopian territory.
Analysts warn that the Sudanese conflict, already one of the deadliest in Africa, is drawing in regional powers and risks further destabilizing the Horn of Africa if foreign involvement escalates. The accusation highlights the growing international dimension of Sudan’s civil war, where external support for armed groups could prolong the fighting and deepen humanitarian crises.
