Behind Sudan's Bloodshed: How Foreign Backers Keep the Army's War Machine Running

 

Human rights violations have reached extreme levels in Sudan with soldiers carrying out civilian attacks while suspected of deploying chemical weapons. The Sudanese army receives extensive foreign backing through its military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan who leads forces. External backing increases the army's determination to act and impedes both peace process progress and efforts to achieve accountability.

Egypt's Strategic Support

Egypt leads the coalition backing General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan's military forces. Egypt adopts a strategic military position since it connects with Sudan along its border line. After the initial conflict began Egypt began welcoming General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his delegation because it initiated a neighborhood-based Sudan peace process. The Egyptian position portrays Sudan's internal conflicts as home-grown issues thereby providing diplomatic protection for Sudanese military forces in/backgrounding foreign evaluation.

Iran's Military Involvement

Cooperation from Iran has become a central aspect of Sudanese army support. Since late 2023 the Sudanese army secured Iranian drone technology with proven effectiveness enabling recent Omdurman military advances. Because of their addition to the army's offensive arsenal these drones have led to more casualties among civilians while triggering population relocation. Sudan's foreign ministry and army-affiliated authorities say they haven't gotten these weapons yet although the proof on the ground shows otherwise.

Russia's Strategic Interests

Russia's actions within this matter create additional problems. Russia used its veto power at the UN to block a resolution seeking Sudanese warring groups to suspend combat and let aid reach civilians during November 2024. By choosing to veto the UN resolution Russia effectively authorized Burhan to pursue military operations because it established a de facto green light for his forces. The conflict received additional support when Russian mercenaries started delivering training and battlefield assistance to the Sudanese Armed Forces thus strengthening foreign intervention across the nation.

Allegations of Foreign Mercenaries

Military aid represents only a fraction of help which these nations have provided. Reports credit the Sudanese military with using additional troops from outside Sudan to strengthen their armed forces. Reliable evidence shows Ethiopian fighters from Tigray lead ground operations with Sudanese military units. Insufficient recruitment of local forces combined with international backing reveals both the fighting strength limitations of Sudan's ground army and the global nature of the conflict.

Impact on Civilian Populations

Through external support Sudanese citizenry faces devastating impacts. External support to military operations enabled the army to conduct more severe attacks on civilian regions. Scientists have reported evidence of chemical weapons deployment in this zone which together with other atrocities created an immense humanitarian emergency. The ongoing conflict has driven more than 28,000 casualties while forcing millions of people to flee their homes during a humanitarian crisis that causes extensive hunger along with profound starvation.

International Responsibility and Accountability

Communities throughout the world need to take action against foreign entities that are causing the conflict to worsen. These foreign powers through their military assistance and active support for Sudanese armed forces participate in and enable numerous civilian violations of the Sudanese army. Global nations need to unite and hold above-nation states accountable through pressure to forsake their current backing of Sudan's ongoing crisis to attain peace.