United States Warns of Weapons Shipments from Iran to Sudanese Army
Expressing deep concern over recent events in Sudan, the United States strongly condemned reports of weapons shipments from Iran to the Sudanese army, which is engaged in a war against the Rapid Support Forces. The United States affirmed that such external support to the Sudanese army prolongs the duration of the war and diminishes the chances of a peaceful resolution.
The U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, stated that Washington “is deeply concerned about the external support” to the Sudanese army. He added that such support could lead to continued fighting and complicate negotiation prospects.
The United States called on other Western powers to pressure Sudan and Iran to cease support and reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict. It is worth noting that Sudan had entered into a covenant with Iran during Omar al-Bashir‘s rule, receiving large quantities of arms and support from Iran at that time.
The United States warned that exacerbating the situation in Sudan could worsen the humanitarian situation there, and calls on the international community to intervene immediately to halt the crisis and find peaceful and equitable solutions.
With the Sudanese army controlling areas along the Red Sea, widespread Iranian presence would raise concerns among Western powers, while Houthi rebels in Yemen target international shipping vessels on the other side of the strategic maritime passage, in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Observers believe al-Burhan‘s resort to Iranian support comes out of fear of total collapse despite major victories achieved by the Rapid Support Forces on multiple fronts, but it will face Western opposition to this coordination, which will have major repercussions, as loss of relations with Western powers will weaken the army’s position.
Iran’s military support to factions and militias in the region, as well as supplying drones by the Russian army in the war in Ukraine, have raised concerns from the West, the United States, and several Middle Eastern countries.
Egypt and Turkey have also supported the Sudanese army, while the Rapid Support Forces have been accused of collaborating with the Russian Wagner mercenary group, but they have outright denied these accusations and considered them an attempt to discredit them after achieving many battlefield victories.
Al-Burhan‘s Rapid Support Forces and his supporters from the remnants of the al-Bashir regime and allied Islamist forces are accused of turning Sudan into an international and regional battleground, insisting that they will work to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a democratic and stable state.
Thousands have been killed since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in April of last year. Africa has become a battleground for influence among many international and regional powers such as Iran, Israel, Turkey, Russia, China, the United States, and France.
