Rudolph Angler A report by the Washington Post reveals that Turkish defense company Baykar allegedly supplied $120 million worth of weapons to Sudan’s military between August and November 2023. Despite international sanctions on Darfur, Baykar sent arms and ammunition, including drones and warheads, to Sudan’s army, deepening the country’s ongoing conflict. The shipments, which were made under a contract signed by Sudan’s Defense Industries System, reportedly arrived in Port Sudan and fueled the violence in the region.
Baykar’s Alleged Involvement in Sudan’s War
Baykar, a prominent Turkish defense firm, has been accused of sending critical military supplies to Sudan during its ongoing civil war. The weapons, including six TB2 drones, three ground control stations, and 600 warheads, were delivered between August and November 2023. Sudan’s Defense Industries System (DIS) signed the contract on November 16, but the shipments reportedly began arriving in Port Sudan as early as August. This has raised concerns about the potential violation of international sanctions aimed at preventing arms flows into Sudan.
Baykar’s alleged actions put the company at the center of a growing list of foreign powers accused of fueling Sudan’s nearly two-year conflict, which has led to devastating humanitarian consequences. Sudanese officials reportedly told Baykar’s representatives in September that “Turkey had become their most supportive ally” in the ongoing crisis.
The Geopolitical Landscape of Sudan’s Conflict
Sudan’s conflict, which erupted in April 2023 due to a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has drawn in multiple foreign nations. These countries are accused of supporting different factions in the fight for strategic influence and resources in the region.
Baykar’s involvement has placed Turkey among these foreign powers accused of contributing to the conflict. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia have also faced similar accusations. The UAE, in particular, has been linked to supplying armored vehicles and other weaponry to paramilitary forces. In November 2023, Amnesty International reported that UAE-made armored vehicles, equipped with French technology, were being used by Sudanese paramilitary forces. The UAE has denied any involvement in Sudan’s conflict, despite an ongoing legal challenge. Sudan has filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against the UAE for allegedly violating the Genocide Convention by supporting the RSF.
Russia, meanwhile, has expanded its influence in Sudan, with recent deals, including the establishment of a naval base in Port Sudan, strengthening its position along the Red Sea coast. While international bodies have extended the Darfur arms embargo, the United Nations Security Council has yet to take action against nations accused of violating sanctions.
The Humanitarian Impact of Sudan’s War
The war in Sudan has plunged the country into a deep humanitarian crisis, exacerbating an already dire situation. Fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF has left much of the capital, Khartoum, in ruins, and has sparked deadly ethnic clashes across the country. The conflict has displaced millions of people, with approximately 14 million people now facing starvation and the threat of disease.
The United Nations has described Sudan’s civil war as the worst humanitarian disaster globally, as the violence continues to spiral out of control. Reports estimate the death toll to be between 20,000 and 150,000, with no resolution in sight. The continued foreign involvement, including the alleged arms shipments from countries like Turkey, Russia, and the UAE, further complicates efforts for peace and stability in Sudan.
International Response and Lack of Action
Despite the international outcry surrounding the conflict, including violations of arms embargoes, the United Nations has not taken significant action against countries accused of violating sanctions. The UN Security Council extended the Darfur arms embargo in October 2023, but there has been little progress in holding foreign powers accountable for their role in exacerbating the violence. The situation remains dire, with humanitarian aid often blocked by the fighting and foreign interference making it difficult to negotiate a peace settlement.
The failure of international bodies to curb the flow of arms into Sudan and hold responsible parties accountable has allowed the conflict to persist, with devastating consequences for the Sudanese people.
The Path Forward: A Fragile Hope for Peace
As the war in Sudan rages on, the prospects for peace remain uncertain. The increasing foreign involvement in the conflict, including the alleged arms shipments by Baykar and other nations, continues to fuel the violence. The international community must take stronger action to enforce sanctions and prevent the flow of weapons into Sudan, or the humanitarian disaster will only worsen.
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