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Ethiopia Rejects Sudan's Drone Strike Accusation as Baseless

Ethiopia has rejected Sudan's accusation of drone strikes as baseless. Sudan recalled its ambassador and threatened open confrontation after alleged attacks on its airport. Ethiopia accuses Sudan of violating its territorial integrity and aiding Tigray mercenaries. The dispute escalates amid Sudan's ongoing civil war since April 2023.

Key Points: Ethiopia Rejects Sudan Drone Strike Claim

  • Sudan recalled ambassador after accusing Ethiopia of drone attacks
  • Ethiopia rejects accusations as baseless
  • Sudan threatens open confrontation over alleged aggression
  • Ethiopia accuses Sudan of aiding Tigray mercenaries
2 min read

Ethiopia rejects Sudan's drone strike accusation

Ethiopia denies Sudan's accusation of drone strikes on its airport, accusing Khartoum of violations amid ongoing civil war tensions.

"The drones that attacked Sudanese facilities yesterday were launched from Ethiopia's Bahir Dar Airport. - Mohi El-Din Salem"

Addis Ababa, May 5

The Ethiopian government on Tuesday rejected Sudan's recent accusation of drone strikes as "baseless."

Sudan recalled its Ambassador to Ethiopia after accusing Addis Ababa of a series of drone attacks that hit its international airport on Monday.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salem said in a statement on Tuesday that his country is "ready to enter into an open confrontation with Ethiopia."

"The drones that attacked Sudanese facilities yesterday (Monday) were launched from Ethiopia's Bahir Dar Airport," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Sudan has the legal right to respond to the "aggression" in the manner it deems appropriate, he added. "We do not seek to initiate aggression against any country, but whoever attacks us will be responded to."

Asim Awad Abdelwahab, spokesperson of the Sudanese Armed Forces, said in a statement that the armed forces "will respond twice as hard," noting that the army has "confirmed information regarding Ethiopia's participation in the aggression against Sudan."

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Sudan's "baseless accusations" made against it, while accusing Khartoum of violating Ethiopia's territorial integrity.

"In recognition of the fraternal ties between the two nations, the Ethiopian government has exercised restraint and refrained from publicising the grave violations of Ethiopia's territorial integrity and national security committed by some belligerents in the Sudanese civil war," the ministry said.

It said the violations include the "extensive use of the Tigray People's Liberation Front mercenaries" in the conflict, accusing the Sudanese Armed Forces of providing "arms and financial support to these mercenaries, thereby facilitating their incursions along Ethiopia's western frontier."

Since mid-April 2023, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces have been engaged in a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions of people inside Sudan and abroad, according to international estimates.

In the statement, the Ethiopian government stressed the need for an immediate humanitarian truce in Sudan, followed by a sustained ceasefire and an independent, inclusive and transparent civilian-led dialogue and transition process to lay the foundation for durable peace and the restoration of civilian rule.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
It's troubling to see how quickly accusations escalate into threats of "open confrontation." As someone from outside the region, I hope diplomacy wins over military action. The civilian death toll in Sudan is already catastrophic.
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Vikram M
Ethiopia's claim about Sudan using TPLF mercenaries is serious. If true, it's a dangerous game of proxy warfare. Africa doesn't need another conflict. India should use its diplomatic channels to encourage calm, given our historical ties with both nations.
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Kavya N
"Response twice as hard" - this kind of rhetoric never ends well. Both sides need to step back and talk. The Ethiopian statement about restraint and territorial violations doesn't sound completely neutral either. Someone needs to mediate, preferably the African Union.
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Rohit P
I'm genuinely worried about the situation. The drone attack on an international airport is a major escalation, regardless of who did it. Sudan's accusation seems very specific (Bahir Dar Airport), so there must be some evidence. But Ethiopia's response is equally concerning - accusing each other of using mercenaries is a recipe for disaster. We've seen in our own neighbourhood how such border tensions spiral out of control.
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Michael C
As an outsider looking in, this seems like a dangerous tit-for-tat that could escalate quickly. The Sudanese civil war already has enough external involvement. Both Ethiopia and Sudan need to prioritise peace over pride. Disappointing to see yet another African conflict heating up.
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