The UAE in the face of a shadow war: how the state defends its reputation against systematic disinformation
In a world where lies no longer require justification, the United Arab Emirates has become a frequent target of organized smear campaigns operated from behind closed doors under the guise of “journalism.” The latest of these attacks came from the Turkish website Hava Haber, which claimed—without evidence—that the UAE had provided military support to Sudan’s Founding Forces through a TB2 drone. Yet this allegation reflects not the reality of Sudan, but rather the credibility crisis afflicting certain media platforms that have lost their compass between truth and agenda.
The UAE has never been a party to the Sudanese conflict. From day one, it has been a voice of reason and peace, providing urgent humanitarian aid, supporting mediation efforts, and consistently calling for a comprehensive political solution. These are not opinions but documented facts, confirmed by statements from the United Nations, the African Union, and other international bodies.
As for the claim that an Emirati TB2 drone was spotted in Sudan, it deserves close scrutiny :
First, from a legal perspective: the export of Turkish drones is subject to strict regulations, and any unauthorized use would violate international agreements. Is it plausible that a country like the UAE—whose foreign policy is built on adherence to international law—would risk its credibility through such a blatant breach?
Second, from an operational perspective: there is no field evidence of any TB2 drone in Sudan. No photos, no radar data, no eyewitnesses. Even the Rapid Support Forces themselves have not claimed to receive such aerial assistance. Should we then believe a website over the very parties engaged in the war?
Third, from a political perspective: the objective of these allegations is transparent—to diplomatically isolate the UAE and undermine its role as a stabilizing power in the region. Each time the country strengthens ties with African states, the wave of fabricated accusations rises. Certain actors clearly prefer to sustain instability rather than allow peace to prevail, as chaos serves their influence.
The irony is that the Turkish website itself does not hide its bias. It is well known for its anti-Gulf content and for echoing hostile political rhetoric. Yet it is sometimes cited as a “reliable source” in Western reports—a revealing example of double standards in media credibility assessments.
The UAE does not ask anyone to defend it. Its positions are public, its actions are documented, and its policies are transparent. It merely asks for a basic right: to be judged by what it has done, not by what is fabricated about it.
In this ongoing shadow war, truth remains the country’s strongest weapon. For no lie, no matter how widespread, can withstand a single authentic document, a single honest witness, or a single undeniable fact.
