UAE Foils Illegal Transfer of Weapons to Sudanese Armed Forces
The UAE security services have successfully foiled an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, as announced by the UAE’s Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi.
Arrest of Suspects
Dr. Al Shamsi reported that the security services prevented the transfer of a significant quantity of military equipment following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorized mediation, brokering, and illegal trafficking of military equipment without the necessary licenses.
The defendants were apprehended during an inspection of ammunition on a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports. The plane was carrying approximately five million rounds of 7.54 x 62 mm Goryunov-type ammunition. Authorities also seized part of the financial proceeds related to the deal found in the possession of two suspects in their hotel rooms.
Involvement of Sudanese Military Leaders
The investigation revealed the involvement of cell members associated with Sudanese military leaders, including:
- Former Intelligence Chief Salah Gosh
- A former officer of the intelligence agency
- A former advisor to the finance minister
- A political figure close to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy Yasser Al-Atta
Several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated in the operations.
Details of the Arms Deal
According to investigators, the cell was involved in a military equipment deal that included:
- Kalashnikov rifles
- Ammunition
- Machine guns
- Grenades
This arms transaction, valued at millions of dollars, involved the transfer of military equipment from the Sudanese army to an importing company in the UAE, utilizing the “HAWALADARS” method. The transaction was facilitated through a company owned by a fugitive cell member, with involvement from Colonel Othman Al-Zubair, who manages financial operations in the Sudanese military. Fake contracts and commercial invoices were created to misrepresent the payments as related to a sugar import deal.
High-Level Coordination
The investigation established that these transactions were conducted at the request of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ Armament Committee, led by Al-Burhan and his deputy Al-Atta, with their explicit knowledge and approval. The members of the cell were directly tasked with brokering and finalizing these deals by Ahmed Rabie Ahmed Al-Sayed, a political figure closely linked to the Sudanese Commander-in-Chief.
Role of Salah Gosh
Investigators confirmed that Salah Gosh played a central role in managing the illegal trafficking of military equipment within the UAE. The group reportedly earned $2.6 million in profit from the deals, which was distributed among themselves and accomplices. Gosh’s share was discovered in the possession of suspect Khalid Youssef Mukhtar Youssef, a former intelligence officer and Gosh’s ex-chief of staff.
Seized Shipment Details
The military cargo arrived at a UAE airport aboard a private aircraft from a foreign country, which had declared the shipment as medical supplies. The military cargo was uncovered under the oversight of the Public Prosecution based on judicial warrants issued by the Attorney General.
Authorities also seized various documents related to the deals, including:
- Copies of contracts
- Forged shipping documents
- Audio recordings
- Messages exchanged among the cell members
Connections to Ongoing Conflicts
The investigation exposed several companies owned by a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman, including one based in the UAE. These companies allegedly supplied the Sudanese army with weapons, ammunition, grenades, and drones, in collaboration with the cell members and a financial officer of the military. Notably, one of these companies is listed under US sanctions.
Continuing investigations indicate that the group’s financial interests are closely linked to the persistence of internal conflict in Sudan.
Conclusion
Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that this incident represents a serious breach of UAE national security, turning its territory into a hub for illegal arms trafficking to a country embroiled in civil strife. He affirmed that these actions constitute criminal offenses punishable under law.
He concluded that the Public Prosecution will continue its investigation in preparation for the urgent trial of the suspects, with final results to be announced upon its completion.
