Egypt has denied allegations made by Sudanese paramilitary chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo regarding its military’s involvement in the Sudanese conflict. Dagalo accused Egypt’s air force of conducting air strikes against his forces, amidst a war that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and a humanitarian crisis. In a formal response, Egypt firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing that it is not participating in the hostilities. The conflict has drawn international attention due to potential foreign interference, particularly from the UAE and Iran, and has raised concerns regarding human rights violations committed by both sides in the war.
Cairo: In response to accusations from Sudanese paramilitary chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Egypt has firmly denied any involvement in the Sudanese conflict that has been ongoing since April 2022. Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alleged in a recent video that Egypt’s air force conducted strikes against his troops near Jebel Moya, a strategic location situated to the south of Khartoum. He claimed, “Egypt is fighting us,” implicating Egypt as one of several foreign nations intervening in the hostilities, which he claims include Iran as well. The conflict between Dagalo’s RSF and the regular Sudanese military, commanded by army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has resulted in substantial fatalities and has been characterized as the most significant displacement crisis in the world currently. Egypt’s foreign ministry issued a statement late Wednesday categorically refuting Dagalo’s assertions, emphasizing, “Egypt denies the allegations regarding the participation of the Egyptian air force in the battles taking place in brotherly Sudan.” The historical relationship between army chief Burhan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi raises further questions about regional dynamics. Observers note that the protracted conflict has transformed Sudan into a battleground for proxy influences, particularly with the support received by the RSF from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Reports from December indicated that UN experts deemed allegations credible that the UAE had supplied weapons to Dagalo’s forces. Diplomatic discussions have also suggested that the United States conveyed its concerns to the UAE regarding its ongoing support for the RSF, despite President Biden designating Abu Dhabi as a “major defense partner.” Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have faced accusations of severe human rights violations, including attacks on civilians, indiscriminate bombings in populated areas, and hindering humanitarian aid efforts. The RSF is particularly accused of committing crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and systematic sexual violence.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, primarily between Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the national army led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, has created a dire humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced. The war is not only a conflict between local factions but has drawn the interest of various regional powers, leading to allegations of foreign military interventions. The relationship between Egypt and Sudan has historical depths, complicating the dynamics with Egypt’s support for the Sudanese military, further enhanced by strategic ties between their respective leaders. Irregular military supplies from countries such as Iran and the UAE have magnified the conflict, signaling the tumultuous geopolitical environment surrounding Sudan.
In conclusion, Egypt’s emphatic denial of any military involvement in the Sudanese conflict reflects the complexities of regional alliances and the implications of alleged foreign interference in local battles. As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, the roles of external actors, including the UAE and Iran, continue to be scrutinized. The accusations by Dagalo underscore the volatile nature of the conflict, which has significant ramifications for regional stability and civilian safety. Both the RSF and the Sudanese military remain under scrutiny for their conducts amid the ongoing war.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
