Sudan Crisis Deepens as RSF Leader Accuses Egypt of Air Strikes and Escalates Conflict
Hemeti’s Allegations of Foreign Meddling Intensify Fears of Regional Spillover in Sudan’s Escalating Civil War

Sudan’s long-standing conflict took a dangerous turn as Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemeti, accused Egypt of launching air strikes against his forces near the capital, Khartoum. In a recorded video on Wednesday, Hemeti claimed that Egyptian aircraft attacked his forces in the Jebel Moya area, killing several fighters. He further alleged that Egypt had been involved in the conflict for some time, training the Sudanese army and supplying drones, but had now escalated its involvement.
“We have stayed silent about Egyptian air support for a long time, but their recent escalation has forced our hand,” Hemeti declared, vowing to respond by mobilizing one million fighters and implementing what he described as “Plan B.”
Cairo swiftly denied the accusations, with Egypt’s Foreign Ministry urging the international community to verify Hemeti’s claims. This marks a significant increase in tensions between the two neighboring countries as Sudan continues to grapple with a bloody civil war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
Shifting Dynamics and Foreign Involvement
Sudan’s conflict has raged since April 2023, with the RSF and the SAF locked in brutal battles for control of Khartoum and other regions. Egypt, a key regional ally of the SAF, has long been rumored to provide support to the army, but Hemeti’s accusations suggest a more direct role in the ongoing war. He also claimed that American-made bombs were dropped on his forces and that Iran is assisting the SAF, further complicating the conflict’s regional dimensions.
Geopolitical analyst Ammar Fayed noted that Hemeti’s allegations indicate a shift in the balance of power in Sudan’s war. “It’s clear Hemeti fears that foreign intervention is tipping the scales in favor of the SAF,” said Fayed. Egypt’s involvement, he added, may not guarantee a decisive victory for the Sudanese army but could reinforce “red lines” to prevent RSF advancements.
Hemeti’s paramilitary forces have faced setbacks in recent weeks, particularly in the strategic Jebel Moya region. The SAF reclaimed the area earlier in October after fierce battles, cutting off RSF supply routes and reversing gains the paramilitary group had made since June.
Regional and International Complications
Hemeti’s claims about foreign actors deepened concerns about international involvement in the Sudanese conflict. In addition to Egypt and Iran, Hemeti alleged that Tigrayan, Eritrean, Azerbaijani, and Ukrainian mercenaries were fighting alongside the SAF, while the RSF has long been suspected of receiving support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hemeti’s claims about foreign actors deepened concerns about international involvement in the Sudanese conflict. In addition to Egypt and Iran, Hemeti alleged that Tigrayan, Eritrean, Azerbaijani, and Ukrainian mercenaries were fighting alongside the SAF, while the RSF has long been suspected of receiving support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This week, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Hemeti’s younger brother, Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa, accusing him of facilitating arms procurement for the RSF. The sanctions are seen as part of broader U.S. efforts to curtail the flow of weapons into the conflict, which has already displaced more than 10 million people and plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis.
Despite the international community’s attempts to mediate peace, talks in Geneva last month failed to produce any meaningful progress toward a ceasefire. Hemeti, in his address, expressed little hope for an end to the war, predicting that it could last several years.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
As the fighting rages on, the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate. Over 25 million people are facing acute hunger, and at least 13 areas of the country are at risk of famine, according to the World Food Programme. The RSF, which has been accused of atrocities, including ethnic cleansing and rape, now holds several key regions in Darfur, but Hemeti’s forces are increasingly under pressure from both the SAF and external actors.
Rights groups have condemned both sides for atrocities committed during the war. A U.N. fact-finding mission recently indicated that war crimes have likely been committed by both the RSF and the Sudanese army, further complicating prospects for peace.
With no end in sight, Sudan’s future remains uncertain. Hemeti’s fiery rhetoric signals an intention to escalate the conflict, and with foreign powers increasingly involved, the risk of a regional spillover grows. For now, Sudan’s civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, caught between two warring factions and the ever-expanding web of international interests.