The UAE has condemned an attack on its ambassador’s residence in Khartoum, attributed to a Sudanese military aircraft. This incident coincides with ongoing tensions between the UAE and Sudan, including accusations of military support to the Rapid Support Forces amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
On Monday morning, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) officially reported that the residence of its ambassador in Khartoum was subjected to an attack by a military aircraft belonging to Sudan. The UAE government characterized this incident as a “heinous attack” and expressed significant condemnation regarding the actions taken against its diplomatic facility. The UAE foreign ministry indicated that the assault resulted in extensive damage to the ambassador’s residence. Conversely, the Sudanese military has not yet issued a response to these allegations. Additionally, the relationship between the UAE and the Sudanese military has been strained, with the latter repeatedly accusing the UAE of supplying weapons and other forms of support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been embroiled in the ongoing conflict in Sudan over the past 17 months. The UAE has persistently denied these accusations, although United Nations sanctions monitors have pointed to credible evidence suggesting the UAE may have indeed provided military assistance to the RSF. The conflict that erupted in April of the previous year has resulted in a disastrous humanitarian crisis, with the UN reporting that nearly 25 million individuals, equating to approximately half of Sudan’s population, currently require urgent assistance. Furthermore, the organization has highlighted the impending threat of famine, alongside the troubling statistic that around 8 million people have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing violence. In its statement, the UAE foreign ministry emphasized the necessity of safeguarding diplomatic compounds and residences of embassy personnel, reiterating the importance of adhering to international treaties and customs that govern diplomatic relations.
The situation in Sudan has been compounded by a violent struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2022, originally sparked by disagreements concerning the transition to democratic governance. The conflict has led to widespread humanitarian crises, displacing millions and causing severe shortages of aid. The UAE’s involvement in this conflict has been a matter of contention, with accusations of supporting the RSF, while the conflict itself has raised serious concerns regarding the protection of diplomatic facilities amidst wartime hostilities.
In summary, the recent attack on the UAE ambassador’s residence in Khartoum underscores the escalating tensions between the UAE and the Sudanese military amidst a backdrop of ongoing conflict. The UAE’s condemnation of the attack highlights its stance on the protection of diplomatic premises, while the complex accusations of military support to the RSF further complicate the situation in Sudan, contributing to a dire humanitarian scenario that demands urgent attention from the international community.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
