Sudan’s UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have held covert high-level meetings with Israeli officials over the last two years. The meetings included staff from the Israel foreign office and intelligence officials. RSF has cut a bloody swathe across Sudan with the UN accusing the militia of genocide.
Sudan’s UAE-backed RSF in bed with Israel?
The Canary reported on Israel’s quiet role in Sudan back in October 2025. But details have been sparse until now. Africa Intelligence first reported on the meeting on 28 August from behind a paywall. Middle East Eye picked up the story:
According to the investigation published on Friday, two RSF delegations travelled to Tel Aviv – one in May 2025, and another in February 2026.
Africa Intelligence found that members of the delegations convened with officials within the Africa Division of Israel’s foreign ministry and with Israeli intelligence.
MEE added:
The investigation reported that the contacts were embedded in a security and intelligence partnership that began before the outbreak of Sudan’s war in April 2023.
Israel and the UAE are close allies with UAE having signed up to the Abraham Accords. The US-led treaty dictates that Israel’s Arab neighbours normalise relations with the settler-colonial state.
MEE reported:
The first delegation comprised Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, deputy commander to RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, as well as their brother, Algoney Hamdan Dagalo.
Hemedti is a wanted man by the Sudanese state.
Death sentence in absentia
Hemedti was sentenced to death in absentia by a Sudanese court in July 2026:
The court found Hemedti and the other defendants guilty of orchestrating attacks on civilians, widespread destruction and looting, and the targeting of schools, places of worship and residential neighbourhoods.
The ties between RSF and Israel are not new:
and included cooperation in security and intelligence for years, possibly surrounding the transfer of surveillance technologies to the RSF.
UAE, a major buyer of British arms, denies providing RSF with equipment despite ample evidence to the contrary. In a recent UN security council session, UAE even joined in the condemnation of ‘external actors’ fueling the war.
The three-year war has killed thousands and displaced millions. The RSF, backed by the UAE, is fighting the Sudanese government, with gold interests and regional influence at stake. Numerous foreign actors, including the UK, have caused the war to fester through active participation and/or outright passivity. Israel, too, is a major player in the war.
The war in Sudan is theoretically between the Arab-majorityRSF and the Sudanese government. But foreign states pursuing their own interests are backing the combatants. Egypt backs the government, alongside Russia, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Israel has backed both sides at different times.
The RSF has killed Sudanese civilians in vast numbers. Some estimates say 150,000 people have died and more than 10 million civilians have been displaced by fighting. The people of Sudan remain trapped between national, regional and global interests which have proven indifferent to their safety.
Featured image via the Canary
By Joe Glenton
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