The tribal militia turned paramilitary Speedy Help Forces (RSF) in Sudan are identified to doc their very own warfare crimes.
Movies of their fighters lynching girls, lashing emergency responders and cheering over lifeless our bodies have circulated on-line for the reason that begin of the RSF’s warfare with Sudan’s military in April 2023.
One piece of proof by no means revealed in any of their violent movies is who’s backing them and why?
“In the beginning, it was the Russians – Wagner and the state. Now, they tell me it is the UAE supporting the RSF,” says Ahmed*, utilizing an alias to guard his id.
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An RSF intelligence officer speaks anonymously to Sky’s Yousra Elbagir
Initially from North Darfur, Ahmed lives a double life as a refugee in considered one of Sudan’s neighbouring international locations whereas staying related to forces on the bottom.
“Lots of the planes touchdown at Nyala [in South Darfur] are mentioned to deliver weapons from the UAE and partially by the Amdjarras airport in Chad.
“It’s a financial relationship, no more,” he mentioned. “The RSF controls areas with large gold mines – Darfur alone has more than four or five gold mines – the UAE is a gold trading hub.”
The RSF is accused of genocide in Darfur and mass looting, sexual violence and armed raids throughout the nation.
Its troops are presently strangling the final state-held capital of North Darfur in a violent siege to finish its management of western Sudan. Near 1,000,000 folks in Al Fashir locality are being starved by an RSF blockade and bombarded by each day drone strikes and shelling.
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The RSF has bodily bolstered its siege of Al Fashir with a berm – a raised earth mound. This map exhibits its encirclement. Pic: Yale Faculty of Public Well being
On the outskirts of North Darfur’s Karnoi city, we meet Joint Job Forces intelligence commander Idris Ali.
The Joint Job Forces are made up of former rebels from throughout Darfur that the navy armed the RSF to crush, by mass ethnic violence within the early 2000s. Now, they’re armed by the state to battle the RSF.
“Our patriotism does not allow us to surrender. Our right to the land means we have to fight until our last breath,” says Commander Ali.
The RSF is presently utilizing subtle weapons and drones to pummel his forces and civilians in Al Fashir, and perform strikes throughout Sudan.
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The RSF is properly armed
“According to our sources, the weapons come from the UAE. Chad is just a corridor for these arms to reach Sudan,” he added.
Based on his intelligence, provides journey from Chad’s second metropolis Abeche by the Adre crossing and into West Darfur to Al Geneina – the state capital the RSF massacred earlier than its violent takeover in November 2023.
One video he shared with us exhibits a truck crossing after darkish with khaki materials masking its cargo.
The commander says it was filmed by sources on the Chad-Sudan border throughout an arms switch from Adre city into West Darfur. There isn’t a identifiable branding of humanitarian assist or seen indicators of weapons within the footage.
In one other video, a convoy of land cruisers races by terrain much like that of japanese Chad. He says his sources additionally documented this on the Adre crossing and alleges that the land cruisers are painted in RSF colors and became deadly ‘technicals’ [weaponised civilian vehicles] as soon as in West Darfur.
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Sudanese state forces in entrance of burning armed autos that seem to have come from the UAE
He describes a second route that runs south of the border city Tine into North Darfur. Additional north, he says RSF arms and provides land in Amdjarras airport in Chad and head to the principle RSF base and provide hub in Zurug city.
No less than 86 flights travelling from the UAE to Amdjarras airport had been independently documented by December 2024.
In a letter to the United Nations Safety Council on 4 September, the Sudanese authorities alleged no fewer than 248 flights between November 2024 and February 2025 had been operated by UAE-chartered plane to smuggle mercenaries, weapons and navy gear into Sudanese territory.
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In April, the Guardian reported on a leaked United Nations report that documented a constant sample of Ilyushin 1L-76TD cargo flights originating from the UAE into Chad, with a number of flights making deliberate makes an attempt to keep away from detection and recognized no less than three overland routes from Chad doubtlessly used for transporting weapons into Sudan.
Based on the Guardian, the consultants added they might not determine what the planes had been carrying or find any proof the planes had been transporting weapons. These findings weren’t included within the remaining 39-page report.
UAE ‘categorically rejects’ claims
We introduced the allegations in our report back to the UAE’s international ministry. It despatched us this response:
“Since the onset of the civil war, the UAE has consistently supported regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for violations committed by all warring parties.
“The UAE stays dedicated to a civilian-led course of that locations the wants of the Sudanese folks above the pursuits of any faction.
“In this spirit, the UAE notes a marked increase in unfounded accusations and deliberate propaganda from the so-called Port Sudan Authority, one of the warring parties to the civil war, which actively undermines efforts to end the conflict and restore stability.
“These escalating fabrications type a part of a calculated sample of deflection – shifting blame to others to evade duty for its personal actions – supposed to extend the warfare and impede a real peace course of.
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“We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war, and condemn atrocities committed by both Port Sudan Authority and RSF.
“The newest UN Panel of Specialists report makes clear that there is no such thing as a substantiated proof that the UAE has offered any assist to RSF, or has any involvement within the battle.
“The UAE reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working closely with partners to foster dialogue, mobilise international support, and contribute to initiatives that address the humanitarian crisis and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace.
“These efforts will help in constructing a safe and steady future for Sudan that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese folks for peace and growth.”
The Chadian authorities didn’t reply to our request for remark.
