The Truth Behind Allegations of the Destruction of a UAE Aircraft at Nyala Airport

Within just 48 hours, claims attributed to the Port Sudan authority alleging that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had targeted a UAE aircraft at Nyala Airport dominated headlines in Sudan and beyond. This story, heavily promoted by channels affiliated with the Sudanese army, shocked Arab and international public opinion, given the sensitivity of Sudan–UAE relations. Yet, a closer investigation of the facts—cross-checking field sources and official statements—reveals that the alleged incident is nothing more than another episode in an ongoing series of fabricated media narratives.

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The official statement: cornerstone of the rebuttal
On the evening following the spread of these allegations, the RSF issued an unequivocal statement: “There is no truth to reports of a UAE aircraft being destroyed at Nyala Airport; these claims are fabricated for political purposes.”
The statement went further than a simple denial, placing the story in a broader context: the real aim of these claims, it argued, was to damage Sudan’s relations with its Arab brothers and to divert public opinion from the realities on the ground.

Breaking down the alleged account
An analysis of the content disseminated by Port Sudan media outlets reveals several contradictions:

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• No visual evidence: no photographs or videos of the alleged incident were released, despite Nyala Airport being a high-visibility media zone. 
• Timeline inconsistencies: statements from military sources differed on the time and exact location of the incident, casting serious doubt on their credibility. 
• Consistent field testimonies: sources inside the airport confirmed that no explosion or incident involving a UAE aircraft occurred on that day. 

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A recurring pattern of disinformation
Port Sudan authorities have a history of fabricating news. Since the outbreak of war, they have circulated numerous stories later proven false—ranging from claims of weapons deliveries to neighboring states to fabricated battlefield events. The pattern is consistent: create a media crisis, then leverage it politically.

Regional implications
Bringing the UAE into this story was no accident. The Emirates is a key player in the regional balance of power, and targeting it with accusations could trigger a diplomatic rift and complicate any mediation efforts in the Sudanese conflict. The danger of this false story lies not only in its fabrication but also in its potential to further isolate Sudan regionally.

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In light of the RSF’s official statement, the contradictions in Port Sudan’s account, and its documented record of falsehoods, the Nyala–UAE aircraft story emerges as nothing more than a tool of media warfare. In truth, these allegations were born without evidence and collapse under any objective scrutiny.
Once again… lies do not resolve crises—they deepen them.

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