Reports suggest Iran and Russia are backing Sudan’s military forces in the ongoing civil conflict, with arms supplies and military negotiations on Red Sea bases intensifying their involvement.
According to a Bloomberg report, Iran has delivered weapons and drones to Sudan’s army, bolstering its position against opposing militias. Russia is also said to be supplying fuel and components for weapons while engaging Sudanese leaders in talks about establishing military bases along the Red Sea coast.
The assistance from Tehran and Moscow appears to be strengthening their alliances in the region, contrasting with setbacks experienced in Syria, where long-time ally Bashar al-Assad recently fell to rebel forces.
Iran’s renewed engagement with Sudan follows the restoration of diplomatic ties in late 2023, ending a seven-year rift that began when Khartoum sided with Saudi Arabia against Iranian-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen.
Bloomberg noted evidence of Iranian-made drones in the conflict, including one downed by militias. The report also highlighted multiple flights between Tehran and Port Sudan this year, believed to be transferring military equipment.
These developments underscore the shifting dynamics of external support in Sudan’s volatile landscape, with global powers pursuing strategic footholds amidst the turmoil.