The tragedy endured by Sudanese civilians is not just a result of internal conflict. It is also a consequence of proxy warfare, regional power rivalries and international silence
Increasing attacks in Sudan along with deepening tensions between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group have brought the destructiveness of the civil war in the country to a critical point.
The civil war, which has been going on for more than two years, has gone beyond the war between the two groups and has become so different that it cannot be defined as a mere power struggle.
Analyses show that the Sudanese Army and the RSF continue operations in the civil war to gain military and political legitimacy. However, during this period, the effects of the war have intensified across Sudan, from Nyala to Port Sudan. Furthermore, the increasing indirect influence of external actors such as the United Arab Emirates is clearly transforming the scope and nature of the war.
-Sudan's ‘bone-breaking' phase
The RSF's consolidation of control in strategic locations such as Nyala and Kordofan in recent weeks and intense drone attacks on Port Sudan have created a structure that has changed the course of the civil war. The RSF's primary aim is to discredit the Sudanese army and the current administration, and it is understood that another aim is to establish a parallel civilian government in Darfur. Indeed, the alliances recently declared in Nairobi, Kenya indicate the RSF's search for political legitimacy.
The recent attacks on Port Sudan, which are far from the conflict compared to Khartoum, also reveal that Sudan's strategic infrastructure is being systematically targeted.
The RSF's systematic and long-range drone attacks have changed the dynamics of the conflict on the ground. How the Sudanese Army will respond to the RSF's air superiority remains a critical question.
In addition, it is a fact that the humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues devastatingly. Power outages, water supply disruptions and health infrastructure collapse have increased disease risk and malnutrition, especially among children.
A key factor reinforcing the transformation in the nature of this conflict is the growing involvement of regional actors. The influence of these actors is no longer limited to diplomatic mediation or humanitarian aid. On the contrary, they have assumed a role that directly shapes the military and political landscape on the ground.
Among these actors, the UAE stands out due to the scope and nature of its engagement in Sudan.
The UAE's role in Sudan is often interpreted, across various sources, as an extension of its strategic postures in Libya and Somalia. It is a well-documented fact that the UAE has channeled Sudanese gold to Abu Dhabi markets through its past economic and military ties with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. In return, the UAE has supported the RSF with military equipment and financial aid.
Open-source intelligence platforms like Flight Radar indicate the existence of an air bridge transporting weapons from the UAE to the Chad border and then into Darfur. At the same time, radar systems and bases recently established in Bosaso in Somalia's federal member state Puntland suggest that this supply line functions as a logistic support center in the east. Although these claims are denied by official authorities, open-source flight data and field reports paint a different picture.
The weapons and drone support provided by the UAE to General Khalifa Haftar in Libya can also be seen as a similar example of this strategy. This model may be understood as part of a broader proxy strategy that aims to establish regional balance and pursue geopolitical interests through local actors.
-Unseen fronts: Digital warfare and covert logistics
Sudan's war now unfolds across multiple fronts—including the digital sphere. Close analysis shows the RSF has built a potent propaganda apparatus on social media. After bans on Facebook and X, they shifted to Telegram, where they reach tens of thousands to spread their narrative. The RSF also uses these channels to deliver humanitarian aid and to produce content designed to reinforce stability and bolster its legitimacy. At the same time, they've turned digital media into a battleground by deploying fake accounts and coordinated campaigns aimed at discrediting Sudan's government. Observers allege foreign backers allocate substantial budgets to sustain these operations.
Meanwhile, the supply chains for arms and personnel largely remain in the shadows. Satellite imagery and field photos show the RSF operating UAE-manufactured armored vehicles and Chinese-made weapons. It is also reported that the SAF receives drones from allies like Egypt and in some cases employs foreign mercenaries. These shadow supply chains not only prolong the conflict but also hinder peace efforts.
-International responsibility and diplomatic silence
In the context of the Sudan crisis, the response from the international community remains insufficient. Apart from occasional statements of condemnation by institutions like the United Nations, the African Union and the European Union, there have been no tangible efforts to disrupt the supply chains fueling the conflict.
While the Sudanese government has publicly accused the UAE and severed diplomatic ties, submitting the matter to the UN Security Council, this initiative has yet to translate into any meaningful international sanctions or legal proceedings.
Today, the tragedy endured by Sudanese civilians is not just a result of internal conflict. It is also a consequence of proxy warfare, regional power rivalries and international silence. The collapse of the health care system in Nyala, the disruption of essential services in Port Sudan and the displacement of thousands to border regions clearly indicate who the real victims of this war are. Thus, the international community's responsibility is not only to foster peace but also to expose and address the economic, logistical and digital dimensions of the proxy networks fueling the war.
Sudan's civil war has evolved into a tangled proxy conflict in which both frontline fighters and their covert backers exert decisive influence. The dissonance between the UAE's peace rhetoric and its on-the-ground engagements may prove pivotal in shaping the war's course. Here, diplomatic silence can be as potent a weapon as any.
True and lasting peace demands more than a ceasefire: it requires full transparency and accountability to dismantle the clandestine networks perpetuating the violence. In the end, Sudan's future will hinge less on when the guns fall silent and more on how—and with whom—peace is built.
*Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Anadolu's editorial policy.
