World · Africa · 13 hrs ago
Evidence points to support for Sudan’s RSF from a base in Ethiopia
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces are fighting the Sudanese army in a civil war that has lasted more than three years.
As the rainy season ends, both sides may launch new offensives, while nearly 34 million people in Sudan need help.
Satellite images and videos point to military support for the RSF at an Ethiopian army base in Asosa.
Yale researchers say they could not confirm that a separate camp described in earlier reporting was used by the RSF.
Images and videos show Toyota pickup trucks and possible mounted machine guns, while a verified video places RSF fighters near Bakori in the Blue Nile area.
The RSF is fighting in the Blue Nile area, but the available information does not establish what happens next in the conflict.
Satellite imagery and media reports indicate that an Ethiopian army base in Asosa may have supported Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab documented activity at the base that it said points with high confidence to military support for the RSF.
The lab identified vehicles resembling Toyota Land Cruisers and objects that may be machine guns in imagery of the site.
A separate Reuters report said about 4,300 RSF fighters were reportedly in training in western Ethiopia in early January.
The United Arab Emirates, which Reuters sources said funded the training, denies any involvement in the conflict.
- Who
- Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces may have received support at an Ethiopian army base. The United Arab Emirates denies involvement in the conflict.
- What
- Satellite imagery and media reports point to possible military support for the RSF from Ethiopia.
- When
- Yale reported activity at the base in April. Reuters reported that about 4,300 RSF fighters were in training in early January.
- Where
- An Ethiopian army base in Asosa, in western Ethiopia.
- Why
- The base may have served as a hub for RSF supplies, refuelling and accommodation.
United Arab Emirates
Reuters sources cited in the report
Involvement in the conflict
United Arab Emirates
The UAE denies any involvement in the conflict.
Reuters sources cited in the report
Reuters sources said the UAE funded training for RSF fighters in Ethiopia.
A social media video showed blue car carriers that were reported to have travelled through Berbera port to Ethiopia.
Reuters sources said about 4,300 RSF fighters were in military training in western Ethiopia.
Reuters reported that a secret military camp in Ethiopia was being used to train and supply RSF fighters.
Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab reported activity at an Ethiopian army base in Asosa that it said indicated support for the RSF.
- Base
- Ethiopian army base in Asosa
- Reported RSF trainees
- About 4,300 in early January
- Vehicles
- Toyota Land Cruisers, about 5.2 metres long and 1.8 metres wide
- Possible weapons
- Objects about 1.6 metres long that Yale researchers suspected were machine guns
- Reported UAE role
- Reuters sources said the UAE funded training; the UAE denies involvement in the conflict
What people are saying
The patterns in the satellite images point to clear strategic planning and coordinated operations.
This does not look like random activity.
God is great, Bakori is free. Do you see? Bakori is free!
Posts on X
The #UAE is reportedly continuing to facilitate vehicle shipments to #Sudan's Rapid Support Forces through #Somaliland's Berbera port. The vehicles are allegedly transported by #Ethiopian cargo trucks before being transferred to RSF-linked supply networks.