• Sudan's air force reportedly destroyed an Emirati aircraft in Darfur, killing at least 40 people.
• The aircraft was said to be carrying Colombian mercenaries and military supplies for the RSF.
• The UAE denies accusations of supporting the RSF or recruiting mercenaries.
• Colombia's President is investigating the incident and stressed the need to ban mercenary activities.
• Sudan's war has displaced 13 million people, contributing to a major humanitarian crisis.

Sudan's military has claimed the destruction of an Emirati aircraft at Nyala airport in Darfur, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 individuals, who were reportedly Colombian mercenaries. This incident marks a significant escalation in hostilities as the Sudanese army continues its conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been ongoing since April 2023. The attack was described as a response to the alleged use of the airport by the RSF for receiving military supplies, including advanced weaponry from the United Arab Emirates, by Sudan’s air force, according to Indiatimes, SCMP, and Africanews.

The Emirati government has vehemently denied Sudan's claims, characterizing the accusations as "baseless" and a means for Sudan to distract from its internal issues related to the protracted civil war. According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sudan's assertions about arming the RSF and recruiting Colombian fighters are unfounded, reports TRT Global and Al Jazeera.

In response to the airstrike, Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that his administration is actively working to ascertain the number of casualties among Colombian nationals and explore options for recovering their bodies. He has expressed intentions to move towards banning mercenary activities, emphasizing, “a trade in men turned into commodities to kill,” according to SCMP and Indiatimes.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to catastrophic humanitarian conditions, with the war having caused over 13 million people to be displaced and resulted in widespread famine. This complex situation has drawn international scrutiny and raised questions about foreign involvement, including the alleged role of Colombian mercenaries, as highlighted by multiple sources, including Africanews and Al Jazeera.