Satellite imagery, aviation data, and intelligence sources have uncovered Egypt’s clandestine military involvement in Sudan’s civil conflict. A comprehensive investigation reveals that Cairo has been conducting sustained drone operations from a concealed desert airbase against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group for at least six months.
The secret facility, camouflaged within the expansive East Oweinat agricultural development project near the Sudanese border, represents a significant escalation in Egypt’s direct military engagement. This covert campaign marks a strategic shift from Cairo’s previously diplomatic approach to the Sudanese conflict, where it has consistently supported the official Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
This military escalation follows the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher in North Darfur, where paramilitary forces have been accused of perpetrating mass atrocities against civilians. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi subsequently declared the situation in el-Fasher a “red line,” prompting intensified operations.
The conflict has drawn in multiple regional powers, creating a complex geopolitical landscape. The United Arab Emirates stands accused of facilitating RSF operations, despite official denials, while Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have increased support for the Sudanese military. Recent tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have further complicated the situation, with Riyadh taking an increasingly assertive stance against Emirati regional policies.
Ironically, the very agricultural project housing Egypt’s covert drone base has received substantial investment from Emirati companies, highlighting the intricate economic and military relationships characterizing the conflict.
The RSF has acknowledged foreign drone attacks on its positions, vowing retaliation “at the appropriate time and place.” Meanwhile, humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders recently described el-Fasher as “largely destroyed” and resembling a “ghost town” after months of intense fighting that has decimated the civilian population.