Sudan accuses UAE and Ethiopia over drone strikes on Khartoum airport

Khartoum, May 5, 2026 - Sudanese authorities have accused the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia of involvement in recent drone strikes targeting Khartoum International Airport and other strategic locations in the capital, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict.

The accusations followed coordinated aerial attacks that struck the airport, residential neighbourhoods, and military installations including the Signal Corps base in Khartoum Bahri and the Al-Markhiyat training camp in Omdurman.

Sudanese officials stated during a press briefing that they possessed what they described as “conclusive evidence” showing drones involved in the attacks were launched from facilities in Bahir Dar. Military representatives also claimed that technical tracking data linked some of the drones to Emirati ownership and alleged that similar aircraft had previously been used in operations across Blue Nile and Kordofan before one was intercepted near El Obeid earlier this year.

In response to the latest developments, Sudan announced the recall of its ambassador from Addis Ababa for consultations, while officials warned that the country reserved the right to respond to what it described as repeated violations of its sovereignty.

The allegations add further strain to already tense regional relations as Sudan’s conflict increasingly takes on broader geopolitical dimensions amid expanding drone warfare and cross-border accusations.