Iran has been accused once again of contributing to deadly conflicts, specifically by supplying attack drones to one side of the ongoing brutal civil war in Sudan. This conflict, ongoing for four years now, has reportedly claimed as many as 400,000 lives since it started on April 15, 2023, while displacing over 11 million people, making it one of the worst displacement crises globally.
Mariam Wahaba, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), noted that Iran has been providing drones, particularly the Mohajar 6, to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since 2013. This model is manufactured by Quds Aviation Industries, a company licensed in the U.S.
The U.S. State Department has expressed strong opposition to the deployment of these drones against civilians in Sudan, claiming the SAF is using Iranian-made UAVs to target civilians extensively. Additionally, an Iranian woman was recently arrested in California for allegedly plotting to further supply drones to Sudan.
Both the SAF and the opposing rebel group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have reportedly increased their use of drones against civilian populations. Between December 2023 and July 2024, there were at least seven likely cargo flights transporting drones and components between Iran and Sudan, according to Wahaba. A U.S. resident of Iranian descent has been arrested at LAX for allegedly trying to broker a $70 million arms deal involving hardware for Sudan, signaling ongoing deportations.
“We are deeply concerned about the spread of drone warfare and its impact on civilians,” a State Department spokesperson remarked, pointing out that drones from both factions have destroyed essential infrastructure like hospitals and schools, tragically resulting in civilian deaths.
There are broader concerns regarding the connections between Islamist groups aligned with the SAF and the Iranian regime. The U.S. has sanctioned several of these groups, including the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, known for their violent actions against civilians, and many of their fighters have reportedly received training and support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
Recently, the United Nations condemned drone attacks in Sudan. For instance, on April 24, a UNHCR aid truck was struck by a drone in North Darfur, destroying vital supplies. Another incident on April 25 reportedly killed seven people and injured over 20 in El Obeid.
Ricardo Pires from UNICEF highlighted the serious danger drones pose to children in Sudan, likening the situation to an ever-present threat. “For kids, the sound of drones represents another reason to hide and hope for safety,” he explained. Across regions like Darfur and Kordofan, the presence of drones has turned what should be safe spaces—schools, hospitals, and streets—into sites of fear and tragedy.
In response to the unfolding crisis and with an aim to protect U.S. interests, the State Department has emphasized its commitment to limiting the influence of extremist groups in Sudan and addressing Iranian activities that fuel regional instability and suffering.
