The tribal militia turned paramilitary Fast Assist Forces (RSF) in Sudan are identified to doc their very own struggle crimes.
Movies of their fighters lynching girls, lashing emergency responders and cheering over lifeless our bodies have circulated on-line because the begin of the RSF’s struggle with Sudan‘s military in April 2023.
One piece of proof by no means revealed in any of their violent movies is who is backing them and why?
In an unique interview with Sky Information at a location we can not disclose, an RSF intelligence officer confirms widespread allegations that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the RSF’s major backer in a struggle that has created the world’s largest humanitarian disaster and compelled 13 million folks to flee their properties.
“At first, it was the Russians – Wagner and the state. Now, they inform me it’s the UAE supporting the RSF,” says Ahmed*, utilizing an alias to guard his identification.
An RSF intelligence officer speaks anonymously to Sky’s Yousra Elbagir
Initially from North Darfur, Ahmed lives a double life as a refugee in one among Sudan’s neighbouring international locations whereas staying linked to forces on the bottom.
“Lots of the planes touchdown at Nyala [in South Darfur] are mentioned to convey weapons from the UAE and partially via the Amdjarras airport in Chad.
“It’s a monetary relationship, no extra,” he mentioned. “The RSF controls areas with massive gold mines – Darfur alone has greater than 4 or 5 gold mines – the UAE is a gold buying and selling hub.”
The RSF is accused of genocide in Darfur and mass looting, sexual violence and armed raids throughout the nation.
Its troops are presently strangling the final state-held capital of North Darfur in a violent siege to finish its management of western Sudan. Near 1,000,000 folks in Al Fashir locality are being starved by an RSF blockade and bombarded by every day drone strikes and shelling.
The RSF has bodily bolstered its siege of Al Fashir with a berm – a raised earth mound. This map reveals its encirclement. Pic: Yale Faculty of Public Well being
On the outskirts of North Darfur’s Karnoi city, we meet Joint Process Forces intelligence commander Idris Ali.
The Joint Process Forces are made up of former rebels from throughout Darfur that the navy armed the RSF to crush, via mass ethnic violence within the early 2000s. Now, they’re armed by the state to battle the RSF.
“Our patriotism doesn’t permit us to give up. Our proper to the land means we have now to battle till our final breath,” says Commander Ali.
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The RSF is presently utilizing refined weapons and drones to pummel his forces and civilians in Al Fashir, and perform strikes throughout Sudan.
The RSF is nicely armed
“In response to our sources, the weapons come from the UAE. Chad is only a hall for these arms to succeed in Sudan,” he added.
In response to his intelligence, provides journey from Chad’s second metropolis Abeche via the Adre crossing and into West Darfur to Al Geneina – the state capital the RSF massacred before its violent takeover in November 2023.
One video he shared with us reveals a truck crossing after darkish with khaki materials protecting its cargo.
The commander says it was filmed by sources on the Chad-Sudan border throughout an arms switch from Adre city into West Darfur. There is no such thing as a identifiable branding of humanitarian help or seen indicators of weapons within the footage.
In one other video, a convoy of land cruisers races via terrain much like that of jap Chad. He says his sources additionally documented this on the Adre crossing and alleges that the land cruisers are painted in RSF colors and changed into deadly ‘technicals’ [weaponised civilian vehicles] as soon as in West Darfur.
Joint Process Forces intelligence commander Idris Ali who spoke to Sky Information’ Yousra Elbagir in Sudan
He describes a second route that runs south of the border city Tine into North Darfur. Additional north, he says RSF arms and provides land in Amdjarras airport in Chad and head to the primary RSF base and provide hub in Zurug city.
No less than 86 flights travelling from the UAE to Amdjarras airport had been independently documented by December 2024.
In a letter to the United Nations Safety Council on 4 September, the Sudanese authorities alleged no fewer than 248 flights between November 2024 and February 2025 had been operated by UAE-chartered plane to smuggle mercenaries, weapons and navy tools into Sudanese territory.
Extra just lately, on-line flight tracker @AfriMEOSINT famous flights from the UAE arriving in N’djamena airport in Chad’s capital. On 20 September, a cargo flight left Al Reef airbase in Abu Dhabi and landed within the navy part of N’Djamena airport.
In April, the Guardian reported on a leaked United Nations report that documented a constant sample of Ilyushin 1L-76TD cargo flights originating from the UAE into Chad, with a number of flights making deliberate makes an attempt to keep away from detection and recognized no less than three overland routes from Chad probably used for transporting weapons into Sudan.
In response to the Guardian, the specialists added they might not establish what the planes had been carrying or find any proof the planes had been transporting weapons. These findings weren’t included within the remaining 39-page report.
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UAE ‘categorically rejects’ claims
We introduced the allegations in our report back to the UAE’s international ministry. It despatched us this response:
“Because the onset of the civil struggle, the UAE has constantly supported regional and worldwide efforts to realize an instantaneous ceasefire, shield civilians, and guarantee accountability for violations dedicated by all combatants.
“The UAE stays dedicated to a civilian-led course of that locations the wants of the Sudanese folks above the pursuits of any faction.
“On this spirit, the UAE notes a marked enhance in unfounded accusations and deliberate propaganda from the so-called Port Sudan Authority, one of many combatants to the civil struggle, which actively undermines efforts to finish the battle and restore stability.
“These escalating fabrications type a part of a calculated sample of deflection – shifting blame to others to evade accountability for its personal actions – supposed to delay the struggle and hinder a real peace course of.
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“We categorically reject any claims of offering any type of help to both warring celebration because the onset of the civil struggle, and condemn atrocities dedicated by each Port Sudan Authority and RSF.
“The newest UN Panel of Specialists report makes clear that there is no such thing as a substantiated proof that the UAE has offered any help to RSF, or has any involvement within the battle.
“The UAE reaffirms its unwavering dedication to working intently with companions to foster dialogue, mobilise worldwide help, and contribute to initiatives that handle the humanitarian disaster and lay the groundwork for sustainable peace.
“These efforts will help in constructing a safe and steady future for Sudan that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese folks for peace and growth.”
The Chadian authorities didn’t reply to our request for remark.
