A major Turkish defence company, Baykar, has been accused of breaking international rules by selling weapons to Sudan’s army. This could be a big problem because the United States and the European Union have placed sanctions on sending weapons to Sudan, especially in areas like Darfur, where violence has been severe.
According to reports, Baykar secretly sent weapons and ammunition to Sudan’s military between August and November last year. The first delivery arrived by plane in August at Port Sudan, a key city on the country’s eastern coastline. The last shipment reportedly landed on September 15. These deliveries were part of a $120 million deal between Baykar and Sudan’s military procurement agency, known as Defense Industries System (DIS). The agreement included six powerful drones, three ground control stations, and 600 warheads.
The contract was signed on November 16, 2023—five months after the United States had imposed sanctions to stop weapons from flowing into Sudan. The deal also mentioned that 48 employees would be involved in the delivery and that Baykar would provide technical support within Sudan.
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Sudan’s War and Foreign Involvement
Sudan has been torn apart by war since April 2023, when two powerful leaders started fighting for control of the country. One side is led by the Sudanese army, and the other by a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The war has caused terrible suffering, with millions forced to leave their homes and thousands killed.
Foreign countries have also been involved in the conflict. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accused of supplying military vehicles to the RSF, despite denying any involvement. Russia has also made moves in Sudan, signing an agreement to build a naval base in Port Sudan. Now, Turkey is under scrutiny for allegedly helping the Sudanese army with weapons.
On September 9, Sudanese officials reportedly told Baykar representatives that Turkey had been their biggest supporter. A leaked company memo detailed this meeting, raising further concerns about Turkey’s role in the conflict.
Global Concerns Over Violations
The accusations against Baykar are serious because they suggest that a major Turkish company may have ignored international sanctions. The United Nations had extended an arms embargo on Darfur in October, but no actions have been taken against countries accused of breaking these rules.
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Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice has received a complaint from Sudan against the UAE, accusing it of supporting the RSF in ways that violate the Genocide Convention. Amnesty International, a human rights organization, has also reported that the UAE supplied RSF forces with armored vehicles made using French military technology.
The war in Sudan has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, according to the United Nations. More than 14 million people have been displaced, and starvation is affecting many areas of the country. The number of deaths varies between 20,000 and 150,000, but the actual figure could be even higher. Despite these tragedies, foreign weapons continue to flow into Sudan, worsening the conflict.
This latest report linking Baykar to Sudan’s military raises concerns about Turkey’s role in the war and how international sanctions are being ignored. With the conflict still raging, the impact of these weapons shipments remains a major global concern.
