Sudan Blames Libya’s Haftar for Border Attack Escalation

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The Sudanese army has blamed the forces of Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar for attacking Sudanese border posts. This is the first time Sudan has clearly said that its neighbor, Libya, is directly involved in its civil war, which has now been going on for three years.

The war in Sudan is between the country's army and a group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Sudanese army said the RSF was also involved in this latest attack. Over time, this war has pulled in many other countries, but efforts to bring peace have not worked so far.

At the beginning of the war, Sudan accused Haftar of sending weapons to help the RSF. Sudan has also blamed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for supporting the RSF, saying that last month the UAE even carried out drone strikes. The UAE has denied all these claims.

Egypt, which supports Haftar in Libya, has always backed the Sudanese army.

Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah said the attack happened in the area where Sudan, Libya, and Egypt meet—a desert region north of the main battle area near el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Abdallah said, “This is a clear attack on Sudan.”

He also said, “We will protect our country and our land, no matter how big the conspiracy is, even if it’s supported by the UAE and other armed groups in the region.”

Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also blamed the UAE for the attack. They called it a “dangerous step” and said it broke international law.

In a statement, they added, “The border between Sudan and Libya has been used for a long time to send weapons and fighters to help terrorist groups, supported by the UAE and led by Haftar’s forces.”

Haftar’s side has not given any public reply yet.

The RSF has also not made an official statement, but someone inside the group said their fighters had taken control of the entrance to Jebel Uweinat. This is a mountain area where Sudan, Libya, and Egypt meet.