2025 alleged shootdown of UAE mercenary plane

2025 UAE mercenary plane shootdown

Occurrence
Date	6 August 2025 (2025-08-06)
Summary	Alleged shootdown
Site	Near Nyala Airport, South Darfur, Sudan
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Unclear
Operator	United Arab Emirates Air Force (alleged by Sudan; denied by UAE)
Registration	Unclear
Flight origin	Unspecified Middle Eastern Air Base
Destination	Nyala Airport
Occupants	40≤
Crew	Unknown
Fatalities	40+

On 6 August 2025, a UAE mercenary plane was allegedly shot down, according to Sudanese officials and Sudanese state TV. The alleged shootdown was conducted by the Sudanese Air Force on what is claimed to be a United Arab Emirates Air Force plane, allegedly resulting in the deaths of at least 40 Colombian mercenaries in Nyala airport. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the accusation calling it unfounded and lacking evidence.

Background

Sudan has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of funding Colombian mercenaries in support of the Rapid Support Forces against the Sudanese military government in the civil war. The UAE has rejected the accusations. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Incident

According to the Sudanese Army, on 6 August 2025, the Sudanese Army launched a sudden airstrike on the runway the plane was landing on at Nyala Airport in South Darfur state. The attack targeted a private mercenary plane that belonged to United Arab Emirates carrying Colombian mercenaries and weapons shipments. Sudanese intelligence agencies tracked the plane prior to the airstrike. ^[4] At least 40 were reported to be killed in the strike. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

Reactions

• Colombia: President Gustavo Petro tweeted on X that the Colombian government was trying to find out how many Colombians died in the attack. ^[8]
• Sudan: Sudan said the United Arab Emirates banned Sudanese planes from landing at its airports and barred a Sudanese airliner from taking off from Zayed International Airport. ^[9] Sudan also accused the United Arab Emirates for being a long-term supplier of arms through the Nyala airport. State TV also reported that the plane took off from an airbase in the Persian Gulf. ^[10] The army insisted that this attack sends "a clear message both inside and outside the country: Sudanese sovereignty is a red line", adding that the goal is to curb foreign interference. ^[4]
• United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed the news as part of Sudan's ongoing campaign of disinformation and deflection and saying the allegations were unfounded and entirely false. ^[11]

References

1. "Sudan accuses the UAE of funding Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside the RSF in civil war". AP News. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
2. "Sudan accuses UAE of funding RSF mercenaries, UAE denies role". Middle East Monitor. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
3. "Sudan accuses UAE of fueling civil war with foreign mercenaries". The North Africa Post. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
4. "Ejército de Sudán asegura haber derribado avión con mercenarios colombianos" [Sudanese army claims to have shot down plane carrying Colombian mercenaries] (in Spanish). France 24. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
5. "Sudanese air force destroys Emirati plane carrying Colombian mercenaries: Sudan TV". english.news.cn. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
6. "Sudan's army says it destroyed UAE plane carrying mercenaries in Nyala". Sudan Tribune. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
7. "Sudan says army destroys Emirati aircraft, killing 40 mercenaries". AL-Monitor. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
8. "Sudan says army destroys Emirati aircraft, killing 40 mercenaries". The Times of India. 7 August 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 7 August 2025.
9. "Sudan says UAE bars Sudanese planes from landing at its airports". The New Arab. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
10. "Sudan says army destroys Emirati aircraft, killing 40 mercenaries". Yahoo News. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
11. "UAE rejects Sudan claim it destroyed Emirati plane full of mercenaries". France 24. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.