UAE rejects Sudanese army claim it destroyed Emirati plane carrying mercenaries

Official describes allegations as 'unfounded' and 'entirely false'

The Emirates has repeatedly denied allegations of supporting the RSF. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

The UAE on Thursday rejected a claim made by Sudan’s military that it destroyed an Emirati plane carrying Colombian mercenaries into the country.

Sudan’s army-aligned state TV claimed the plane, carrying troops supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, was struck as it landed in the Darfur region. The report said 40 Colombian soldiers were killed.

However, a UAE official told AFP that the “unfounded allegations” were “entirely false”. The official dismissed the latest claims as part of the Sudanese army's “ongoing campaign of disinformation and deflection”.

The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations of arming the RSF, which has been fighting against the army. The country is now effectively split into two parts, with the army holding areas including Port Sudan and Khartoum, and the RSF controlling the south.

On Tuesday, the UAE rejected allegations by the Sudanese army that it is supporting armed conflict in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Emirates has been subject to a series of "baseless accusations" and “PR stunts”.