Rights group accuses UAE of being transit point for mercenaries on way to Sudan

Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleges the United Arab Emirates (UAE) serves as a transit point for mercenaries traveling to Sudan's civil war. According to HRW, these mercenaries were allegedly trained in UAE military facilities before covert deployment to Sudan, where gross human rights violations have occurred. Residents reported seeing individuals believed to be Colombians in el-Fasher during RSF offensives, with some survivors describing "foreign fighters" present during mass killings. The HRW report also states that munitions belonging to the UAE armed forces were found after the capture of Colombian mercenaries in Sudan. The UAE has denied involvement in the civil war and stated it investigates alleged links.

Human Rights Watch alleges that the United Arab Emirates trained Colombian mercenaries before deploying them to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's ongoing conflict. The report claims hundreds of mercenaries were trained at UAE military bases by Emirati nationals and subsequently sent to Sudan. This accusation adds to existing claims of UAE financial and military support for the RSF, which has been accused of widespread atrocities. The UAE has denied these allegations, stating its territory is not used for foreign fighter recruitment or transit. A UN panel of experts previously reported Colombian mercenaries fighting for the RSF, operating drones and participating in attacks. Human Rights Watch urges international pressure on the UAE to cease its alleged support for the RSF.