London, June 5, 2024 – The Tactics Institute for Security and Counterterrorism urgently calls for the cessation of Iranian arms supply to both sides of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The deployment of Iranian anti-tank missiles and attack drones is escalating the violence and posing a significant threat to regional stability and peace.
The situation in Sudan is already volatile due to the protracted conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent images have revealed that both factions are now armed with Iranian Saeghe anti-tank-guided missile systems. The origin of these missiles is ambiguous, but it is speculated that the RSF may have acquired them from captured military bases.
Despite denials from SAF leaders regarding the receipt of weapons from Iran, the renewal of diplomatic ties between Sudan and Iran in October 2023 coincided with the entry of Iranian Mohajer-6 attack drones into the Sudanese battlefield. The presence of Iranian Revolutionary Guard cargo planes in Port Sudan, as well as the docking of Iranian Navy vessels at Sudanese ports, underscores the deepening military cooperation between the two nations.
This militarization exacerbates the conflict and endangers the peace of the entire region. Iran’s support for Sudan, including the provision of sophisticated weaponry, is a clear violation of international norms and threatens to destabilize the already fragile security environment in the Horn of Africa and the broader Middle East.
The Tactics Institute demands that all involved parties cease the flow of Iranian weapons into Sudan immediately. The involvement of Iranian arms not only contravenes international laws but also fuels the conflict, causing further civilian casualties and displacements. The SAF and RSF must adhere to international humanitarian laws and prioritize the protection of civilians over military gains.
The international community, including the United Nations and regional bodies like the African Union, must take decisive action to halt the influx of Iranian arms into Sudan. Sanctions and diplomatic pressures should be employed to ensure that Iran ceases its military support, which is aggravating the conflict.
Furthermore, the Tactics Institute urges Sudan to reconsider its renewed ties with Iran, which have brought more harm than benefit to the Sudanese people. The pursuit of peace and stability in Sudan must take precedence over military alliances that compromise national sovereignty and regional security. The Tactics Institute calls on all belligerents to stop the import and use of Iranian weapons immediately, for the sake of regional peace and stability.