Sudan: Libyan Haftar-linked troops carried out attack in border triangle

The Sudanese military on June 10 accused forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar of launching a cross-border assault on Sudanese border posts, marking the first direct allegation by Sudan against its northwestern neighbour since the country’s conflict began two years ago.

According to the Sudanese army, the attack occurred in the border triangle between Libya, Egypt, and Sudan, north of al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur and a major flashpoint in the ongoing civil war, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The army also claimed that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), its main adversary in the conflict, were involved in the assault.

This is the latest in a series of accusations linking foreign actors to Sudan’s internal war. The Sudanese military has previously charged Haftar, who controls eastern Libya, with supplying weapons to the RSF. It has also repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF, including through drone strikes—an allegation the UAE has denied.

Haftar’s forces have not responded publicly to the accusations. Egypt, another ally of Haftar, is known to support the Sudanese army.

In a statement, the Sudanese armed forces declared: “We will defend our country and our national sovereignty, and will prevail, regardless of the extent of the conspiracy and aggression supported by the United Arab Emirates and its militias in the region.”

The accusations follow a June 6 incident where members of Haftar’s “Subul al-Salam” battalion advanced three kilometres into Sudanese territory, according to the report by Sudanese media. A pro-Sudanese army armed group clashed with them near Mount Arkenu, killing two Libyan fighters and capturing two others. A second attack by another group from Kufra, Libya, followed, causing losses on the Sudanese side.

The army spokesperson said the goal of the joint RSF-Haftar attack was to “seize the area”. In contrast, pro-RSF media platforms released videos purporting to show their forces overrunning a Sudanese army position in the area.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry blamed what it called the “leniency of the Security Council and Western powers” for encouraging the UAE and its regional allies to become directly involved in the fighting. It called on the United Nations, African Union, and Arab League to condemn the aggression.

The border region has long been a flashpoint and a key supply route for the RSF. Sudan has accused Haftar of facilitating military aid funded by the UAE, including by hosting RSF forces at bases like Ma’tan al-Sarra.

By Tamilla Hasanova