A draft UN report reviewed by Reuters found that Boeing 727 aircraft linked to a former U.S. military contractor's business network transported weapons, drones, mercenaries, and fighters to Darfur for the UAE-backed RSF militia.

In a covert operation, a force of around 280 fighters, including field commanders, arrived in Khartoum on July 23, 2026, after breaking away from areas controlled by the RSF militia and declaring their allegiance to the Sudanese army.

Since the U.S.-Israeli War on Iran erupted in late February 2026, followed by Iranian strikes on American bases across the Gulf, Western intelligence leaks and media reports have repeatedly pointed to an Emirati role in coordinating with “Israel.”

The Sudanese Army’s recapture of Kurmuk reshaped the balance of power in southeastern Sudan, closing an attritional front that the UAE-backed RSF militias had sought to turn into a pressure point against the army.

Months after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and the resulting strikes weakened the UAE’s image as a safe hub for business and investment, Abu Dhabi launched a nationwide campaign urging citizens, residents, and institutions to sign a document expressing support for President bin Zayed al-Nahyan.