In the dusty expanse of Bosaso Airport in Somalia’s Puntland region, a shadowy network of flights, mercenaries, and hazardous cargo shipments has emerged as a critical lifeline for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to multiple sources.
This clandestine operation, allegedly orchestrated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is channeling weapons and fighters to the RSF amid Sudan’s brutal civil war, raising alarms about regional destabilization and violations of international arms embargoes.
The operation came to light through eyewitness accounts from local officials and security personnel at the port. Middle East Eye quoted a senior commander in the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), who described regular arrivals of unmarked aircraft carrying “hazardous” materials, including ammunition and military hardware destined for the RSF.
“These flights aren’t for humanitarian aid,” Abdullahi told MEE. “They’re fueling the massacres in Sudan through neighbouring channels.”
The commander noted that the shipments often include advanced weaponry, some of which has been traced back to Turkish manufacturers, further complicating the web of international involvement.
At the heart of this covert hub are hundreds of Colombian mercenaries, recruited for their combat experience and deployed to bolster RSF ranks. Sources indicate that over 300 Colombians have been funnelled through Bosaso since the escalation of Sudan’s conflict in April 2023.
These fighters, many with backgrounds in Colombia’s long-running insurgencies, are transported via regular flights from the UAE, landing under the cover of night to avoid scrutiny.
Once on the ground, they are quickly moved across the border or by sea to RSF-controlled territories in Sudan, where they participate in operations that have drawn accusations of genocide and war crimes.
The RSF, a paramilitary group led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), has been locked in a deadly power struggle with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, with recent RSF advances, including the capture of El-Fasher in North Darfur, attributed in part to this external support. Amnesty International has documented the influx of new weapons into Sudan, including drones and rifles, which are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The UAE’s role in this operation has sparked international condemnation. While Abu Dhabi has denied direct involvement in arming the RSF, evidence points to Bosaso as a key transit point in a broader strategy to influence the Horn of Africa’s geopolitics.
The port’s strategic location on the Gulf of Aden allows for discreet maritime and aerial transfers, bypassing UN sanctions on arms deliveries to Sudan. European Union officials have expressed “profound concern” over related RSF activities, including drone strikes on Port Sudan, highlighting the spillover risks to regional stability.
Local Puntland authorities have voiced frustration over the lack of oversight. “We know what’s happening, but our hands are tied,” said a Puntland government official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The UAE has invested heavily in our infrastructure, and turning a blind eye comes with economic perks.”
Indeed, Bosaso has seen UAE-funded developments, including port expansions, which critics argue serve dual purposes: legitimate trade and covert military logistics.
As the international community grapples with mediation failures in Sudan, this secret pipeline highlights the challenges of enforcing peace. Calls for investigations by the UN Security Council are mounting, with human rights groups urging immediate action to halt the flow of arms.
