You can't see it. You can't shoot it': Turkey's drones boost Sudanese army against RSF

According to multiple sources from Middle East Eye, Turkey provided the Sudanese army with several drones last year. These drones have been used to combat the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in areas such as Khartoum and El-Obeid, achieving significant progress. This support has been crucial in shifting the dynamics of the conflict.

Since the outbreak of the Sudanese civil war in April 2023, Ankara, along with other regional countries such as Egypt, has supported General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the commander-in-chief of the army, against the paramilitary RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. This backing underscores the complex geopolitical alignments in the region.

However, Turkey's delivery of drones to the Sudanese army in October 2024 marks the first time Turkey has provided direct military support to the Sudanese government, potentially altering the balance of power in the conflict. This delivery was first reported by the Sudan Tribune in November, which cited an army source stating that the drones had been in use for about a month and were being used exclusively in Khartoum State. This direct aid signifies a notable escalation in Turkey's involvement.

The supply of drones has accelerated the Sudanese army's advance in areas north of the capital and has also recently enabled progress in areas such as El-Obeid, a strategic hub connecting Darfur and Khartoum, which had been under RSF siege until recently. A source familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones have struck RSF logistics convoys, artillery positions, and reaction forces. The attacks began in Gezira State in late 2024 and have continued in and around Khartoum. These targeted strikes have significantly weakened RSF's operational capabilities.

A senior Sudanese military officer, previously stationed in Gezira and involved in operations north of Khartoum, told Middle East Eye that the RSF initially had the upper hand in the war due to advanced weaponry provided by RSF's backers. "In the early days of the war, we lost many military bases and faced significant challenges," the officer said. "With the arrival of the drones, the RSF's advantage ended. Now we have air support that matches our strength on the ground." An RSF fighter told Middle East Eye that defending against Bayraktar drones is very difficult. "You can't see it. You can't shoot it down. Suddenly you find you are dead," he said. The introduction of drones has dramatically changed the battlefield dynamics.

Turkey's military assistance to the Sudanese army places Ankara and Egypt in opposition to the United Arab Emirates, which supports the RSF. This remains the case despite Abu Dhabi's recent improved relations with Turkey. However, Ankara does not primarily view its actions in the region as being directed against the UAE. Instead, Turkey sees its involvement as part of a broader regional strategy aimed at stabilizing Sudan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Burhan in December that Turkey could mediate between Sudan and the UAE, as it recently did between Somalia and Ethiopia. According to a Turkish statement, Erdoğan told General Burhan that ensuring peace and stability in Sudan, maintaining its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and preventing the country from becoming a region for external intervention are fundamental principles for Turkey. This reflects Turkey's commitment to regional stability and its willingness to play a mediating role.