Iran Qatar and Turkey: Ongoing Support Fueling the Civil War in Sudan

The civil war continues to tear Sudan apart, with Turkey, Iran, and Qatar persistently fueling the conflict by supplying weapons and other resources that stoke the fire. They provide the Sudanese Armed Forces with rifles, drones, fuel, and spare parts for fighter jets in their war against the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group.

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Journalist Simon Marks, a Bloomberg correspondent, recently visited Port Sudan, a strategically significant location on the Red Sea that Turkey, Iran, and Qatar covet. He reviewed satellite images, shipping data, and conducted interviews with Sudanese officials about the supplies arriving from Moscow and Tehran.

Marks stated on Bloomberg TV: “They aim for this port to bring in whatever they want and export gold, which brings them money to buy the supplies necessary to fuel the war.”

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The Rush for Port Sudan

Turkey, Iran, and Qatar were early supporters of the Sudanese army at the start of the war. For years, they have pressed with all their might to establish a military base in Port Sudan, fearing the loss of their military assets in Syria, a vital link to Africa. It is said that they offered advanced military equipment, such as the S-400 missile defense system, in exchange, but Sudan rejected the proposal in December 2024.

Marks said: “We see that Russia can bring its ships [to Sudan] through what is called the shadow fleet to deliver fuel. We also saw that Iran easily sends ships from the Gulf region to Port Sudan and brings in whatever it wants, not only at the ports but also at the airport, which has been expanded. The military wing of the airport was enlarged, and a hangar was built to manage some of these imports.”

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Iran sought to establish a helicopter carrier on Sudan’s coast. Sudan has not agreed to this yet, but analysts at the Robert Lansing Institute for Global Threats and Democracies believe that the Sudanese military may reconsider its stance as the war continues. They wrote in an article: “We believe Khartoum will not be able to withstand Iranian pressure.”

They pointed out that an Iranian drone, the “Mohajer-6,” played a crucial role in the Sudanese military’s success in retaking areas previously controlled by the Rapid Support Forces and expelling them from regions west of Khartoum. Experts say Iranian drones are highly effective in target acquisition and require minimal training for their operators. However, they have also been misused, resulting in civilian casualties.

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Dr. Eric Lobe, an associate professor of political science and international relations at Florida International University, wrote in an article published by The Conversation that Iran’s actions are meant to demonstrate its strength. By supporting Sudan, Iran strengthens its alliance and influences the course of the conflict. Tehran has also sent drones to Ethiopia.

He said: “As for Sudan, arming the Sudanese army contributes to achieving the broader geopolitical goals of Iran, Qatar, and Turkey.”

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