Chicago – June 02, 2026
The United Arab Emirates has faced fresh allegations of directly supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that hundreds of Colombian mercenaries were trained on Emirati military bases before deployment to Sudan.
The May 2026 report details that Colombian contractors were recruited by Abu Dhabi-based Global Security Services Group and trained at facilities in Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi by Emirati nationals. These fighters were subsequently sent to Sudan to serve as infantry, artillery personnel, drone operators, and trainers for the RSF, a paramilitary group widely accused of war crimes.
HRW states the mercenaries were present during the RSF’s October 2025 capture of El Fasher, where atrocities including massacres and sexual violence occurred. The UAE firmly denies the claims, with its foreign ministry stating it does not allow its territory to be used for recruiting or training foreign fighters.
The U.S. has previously sanctioned entities linked to this mercenary network. Sudan’s government told the UN the UAE is sponsoring these fighters, escalating tensions ahead of the conflict’s third year
