Iran has extended its involvement in the nine-month conflict in Sudan by providing the Sudanese army with Mohajer-6 combat drones, exacerbating tensions in the already war-ravaged nation.
The Sudanese army, which has been grappling with territorial losses to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now witnesses increased stakes with Iran’s intervention.
The conflict has not only placed Sudan on the brink of famine but has also drawn attention to the strategic significance of its 400-mile Red Sea coastline.
The widespread acknowledgment within the diplomatic community that Iran is providing drones and other material support to Sudan’s army, International Crisis Group’s Horn of Africa project director, Alan Boswell, told Bloomberg.
This move is perceived as a strategic effort by Iran to regain an ally in Sudan, especially along the Red Sea, which could have significant geopolitical implications, unsettling both regional and Western powers.
Sudan has reportedly received shipments of Mohajer-6, a single-engine unmanned aircraft manufactured in Iran by Quds Air Industries. This drone is equipped with precision-guided munitions, according to three Western officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has successfully intercepted and shot down multiple Iranian drones in recent clashes, underscoring the military implications of Iran’s involvement in the conflict.
The Mohajer-6, known for its capabilities in air-to-surface attacks, electronic warfare, and battlefield targeting, adds a new dimension to the conflict dynamics.
Satellite imagery from January 9 reveals the presence of the Mohajer-6 at the Wadi Sayyidna air base north of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.
This evidence, highlighted by Wim Zwijnenburg, the project leader of humanitarian disarmament at PAX, a Dutch organization advocating for peaceful societies, reinforces the tangible impact of Iran’s military support in the region.
As tensions rise and conflict escalates, the global community watches closely, recognizing the potential ramifications of this evolving situation in Sudan.