A recent report alleges that Turkish defense company Baykar supplied $120 million worth of weapons to Sudan’s army, defying international sanctions. According to claims, the arms shipments occurred between August and November last year, violating EU and US-led sanctions imposed on Darfur.
Alleged Arms Shipment Details
The first delivery reportedly arrived at Port Sudan in August, with the final shipment landing on September 15. The contract between Baykar and Sudan’s Defense Industries System (DIS) was allegedly signed on November 16, 2023, which was five months after the US had imposed sanctions.
As part of the agreement, Baykar allegedly provided six TB2 drones, three ground control stations, and 600 warheads, along with in-country technical support. During a meeting on September 9, Sudanese officials reportedly informed Baykar representatives that “Turkey had become their strongest supporter,” according to an internal memo.
Foreign Powers Intensify Involvement in Sudan’s Conflict
The accusations against Baykar point to Turkey’s growing role in Sudan’s 22-month-long civil war. The conflict, which began in April 2023 as a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has escalated with increasing foreign intervention.
In November, Amnesty International reported that paramilitary forces used armored vehicles made in the UAE, equipped with French military technology. Meanwhile, Russia recently secured an agreement to establish a naval base in Port Sudan, expanding its influence along the Red Sea. Despite extending an arms embargo on Darfur in October, the UN Security Council has not taken significant action against the alleged violators.
Furthermore, the International Court of Justice announced on Thursday that Sudan had filed a complaint against the UAE for violating the Genocide Convention. Sudanese officials have accused the UAE of supplying arms to the RSF, although UAE authorities have denied any involvement.
Global Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
Sudan’s ongoing conflict has caused devastating impacts across the nation, particularly in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions experiencing violent ethnic clashes. The United Nations has labeled Sudan’s situation as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, with approximately 14 million people displaced and widespread starvation reported.
Estimates of deaths resulting from the conflict range from 20,000 to 150,000, with no resolution in sight. As international players deepen their involvement in the war, the situation continues to deteriorate.
The allegations against Baykar highlight the complex web of foreign involvement in Sudan’s brutal conflict. With numerous international powers accused of contributing arms and resources to opposing factions, peace remains elusive. For more updates on this developing story and other international news, visit EuroNews24.