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Sudan Recalls Ethiopian Ambassador, Blames Ethiopia, UAE Drone Strike

5/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia on Tuesday after accusing Addis Ababa and the United Arab Emirates of launching drones that struck Khartoum Airport.
Sudanese armed forces said drones were launched from Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar airport, causing a 72-hour flight suspension but no injuries.
Ethiopia’s foreign ministry and United Arab Emirates denied involvement, noting that drone strikes have killed over 700 people in Sudan this year.

History

Historical Context

Saudi Arabia launched Operation Decisive Storm on 26 March 2015, leading a nine-state coalition that relied on UAE-operated armed drones, a tactic that reshaped warfare. The approach now appears in Sudan, where Khartoum accuses Ethiopia and the UAE of launching UAV strikes on its airport. The pattern shows how the Yemen intervention set a precedent for proxy drone use across Horn of Africa.

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Story summary

Sudan recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia on Tuesday after accusing Addis Ababa and the United Arab Emirates of launching drones that struck Khartoum Airport.
Sudanese armed forces said drones were launched from Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar airport, causing a 72-hour flight suspension but no injuries.
Ethiopia’s foreign ministry and United Arab Emirates denied involvement, noting that drone strikes have killed over 700 people in Sudan this year.

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