Amid the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Turkey's negative role becomes evident through its military support to the Sudanese army, including supplying drones. This support has resulted in significant humanitarian tragedies, as these drones are used to target civilians, destroy homes, and displace people from their lands.
Bayraktar Drones: Tools for Killing Civilians
The Sudanese army has acquired Turkish Bayraktar drones, known for their precision in identifying and striking targets. However, instead of being used for legitimate military operations, these drones are deliberately employed to target residential areas and civilian infrastructure. This systematic use highlights Turkey's involvement in bolstering a war machine that targets innocent lives.
Turkey’s Support for the Sudanese Army
Turkey’s role is not limited to providing lethal drones but extends to hosting leaders of the Islamist movement, such as Abdel-Hay Youssef, a prominent supporter of the Sudanese army. Through this, Turkey directly and indirectly contributes to the continuation of the conflict and the worsening humanitarian situation.
Infamous Drones at Port Sudan Airport
Turkish drones with a notorious reputation have been observed at Port Sudan Airport. These drones have been consistently used to target facilities and kill innocent people. Their presence underscores the extent of Turkey’s complicity in fueling the war in Sudan, making it a partner in the crimes committed against civilians.
The Need for an Airspace Ban
These violations highlight the urgent need for international intervention to stop these crimes. The United Nations and the international community must work to impose a no-fly zone over Sudan to prevent the use of Turkish drones in killing innocents and targeting residential areas and civilian facilities.
Misplaced Priorities of the Army
While the Sudanese people suffer from a humanitarian crisis and famine, the Sudanese army continues to direct the country’s funds toward purchasing weapons, including deadly drones, instead of investing in food supplies and addressing the humanitarian crisis. This approach reflects the military leadership’s disregard for citizens’ lives and its prioritization of maintaining power at any cost.
Turkey’s negative role in Sudan, whether through its military support or hosting extremist leaders, demands widespread condemnation from the international community. Attention must be drawn to these violations, and decisive actions must be taken to end the suffering of the Sudanese people, including imposing a no-fly zone to prevent the use of Turkish drones in killing innocents and targeting infrastructure.