Turkey’s Support for Al-Burhan: Signs of a New Crisis or Strategic Cooperation?

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Between Ankara’s supply of drones to the Sudanese army, its military support for its leader, or even potential direct intervention to end the ongoing war, many questions arise: could the Libyan scenario be repeated in Sudan? Are there actual orders or agreements between military leaders of the two countries regarding Bayraktar drones?

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Sudanese sources revealed that Al-Burhan would discuss with Turkey the provision of Turkish drones to the Sudanese army. These sources stated that “the Sudanese army wants to benefit from the effectiveness of Turkish drones.” Al Jazeera’s website reported that Turkey had responded “to all of Al-Burhan’s requests, including providing drones to the Sudanese army, enabling it to assert control and make progress that could lead to ending the battles,” referencing Al-Burhan‘s recent visit to Turkey.

Other sources also raised the issue of the Sudanese army acquiring Turkish Bayraktar drones, indicating that “the Sudanese army has received an initial batch of Turkish Bayraktar drones, which have not yet been deployed in military operations or seen in battles.”

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So, did Turkey actually supply these drones to the Sudanese army? Does this pave the way for direct Turkish military intervention akin to what happened in Libya? What is Turkey’s stance on the ongoing war in Sudan?

A Sudanese-Turkish Deal on Drones?

Dr. Muhannad Hafiz Oglu explained that Al-Burhan’s visit to Turkey revealed Turkey’s support for him as representing legitimacy against the Rapid Support Forces. He disclosed that “Sudanese requests for Turkish drones have been made to tilt the battles in the army’s favor.” However, Hafiz Oglu believes that Ankara prefers a political approach over a military one, “within the framework of international consensus on Sudan’s stability.” He added that the likelihood of Turkish military support with advanced weapons, such as drones, is low “because the international vision regarding Sudan’s crisis has not yet crystallized.”

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But did the Sudanese army genuinely seek to acquire Turkish drones? Ridwan Oglu stated that “since the beginning of the war in Sudan, there have been meetings between Sudanese army officers and Turkish military leaders about drones. I believe an agreement on this issue was reached between the two sides.” He also noted that “the relationship between the Sudanese military institution and Turkey is longstanding and predates the current conflict.”

“Chinese and Iranian Drones in Sudan”

On the ground, several reports and witnesses have noted drone attacks targeting sites affiliated with either the Sudanese army or the Rapid Support Forces. However, the identity of those supplying such weapons to both sides remains unclear. Ali Asmar explained that the Sudanese army “possesses drones believed to be Chinese or Iranian, but these should not be confused with Turkish drones.” According to him, the Sudanese army has indeed sought to purchase drones from Turkey due to their proven effectiveness in other conflicts such as “Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and the Russia-Ukraine war.”

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Regarding rumors of possible direct Turkish military intervention in Sudan akin to the Libyan scenario, Asmar stated, “The situation in Sudan remains unclear, both domestically and internationally. We have yet to see a clear and unified regional or international position on this crisis. Most countries, including Turkey, are currently monitoring the situation from a distance without direct involvement.”

Does Turkey Intend to Engage Militarily in Sudan?

Mahmoud Allouch also considered the possibility of direct Turkish intervention in Sudan, responding to reports suggesting such intentions. He affirmed that Turkey has “an interest in military engagement in the Sudanese conflict.”

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Allouch analyzed Turkey’s stance by pointing out that the regional circumstances that previously prompted Ankara to engage in the Libyan crisis and other conflicts no longer exist today. He noted that Turkey is now “more inclined toward diplomacy in its policies with the Arab region in general.”

Bayraktar Drones in the Sudanese Army

The Sudanese army recently received a shipment of Turkish-made Bayraktar drones. These drones have officially entered active service, with their operations currently limited to the state of Khartoum.

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This marks the first time the Sudanese army has utilized Bayraktar drones, known as some of the most advanced in the fields of warfare and surveillance, according to military sources cited by local media such as “Sudan Tribune.”

These drones have proven their effectiveness by accurately identifying and destroying targets. They successfully neutralized more than half of the Rapid Support Forces‘ artillery in Khartoum.

This development comes amid internal tensions and an arms race in Sudan, particularly with the Rapid Support Forces. It is seen as a significant step toward enhancing the country’s stability and security.

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Bayraktar drones boast exceptional capabilities: they can fly at a maximum altitude of 27,000 feet, with a maximum takeoff weight of 650 kilograms. Manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar, these drones are among the most prominent worldwide.

They also have a flight endurance of up to 27 hours, a maximum speed of 240 kilometers per hour, and a payload capacity of approximately 1.5 tons.

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