Sudan’s RSF Leader Hemedti Accuses Egypt Of Airstrikes

In a recorded speech on Wednesday, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti and leader of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), accused Egypt of conducting airstrikes against his troops and supplying the Sudanese army with drones. He also claimed Egypt had used U.S.-made bombs in the strikes. “If the Americans were not in agreement these bombs would not reach Sudan,” he added.

The Egyptian foreign ministry swiftly denied these accusations, calling for the international community to verify the evidence behind Hemedti’s claims.

“While Egypt denies those claims, it calls on the international community to ascertain the evidence that proves the truth of what the RSF militia leader said,” the foreign ministry added.

While Egypt has been perceived as supporting the Sudanese army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, it has also participated in U.S. and Saudi-led peace efforts, hosting talks between rival political factions. Despite Hemedti’s allegations, Egypt reaffirmed its neutral stance and called for de-escalation.

In his speech, Hemedti also accused foreign mercenaries from countries like Eritrea, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan of involvement in the conflict and reiterated that Iranians were assisting the Sudanese army. He acknowledged recent army advances in Khartoum and the Sennar region, attributing the RSF’s losses in strategic areas like Jebel Moya to alleged Egyptian airstrikes.

The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has displaced nearly 10 million people, caused widespread famine, and fueled ethnically-driven violence, much of it attributed to the RSF. Despite previous support for peace efforts, Hemedti now warned the conflict could last for several years, further escalating the crisis.

Melissa Enoch

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