The United Arab Emirates has officially barred Sudanese aircraft from landing at its airports, in a fresh escalation of tensions between the two countries, Sudan’s state news agency SUNA reported on Thursday.

Citing the UAE’s civil aviation authority, the agency noted that the Gulf state has implemented a blanket landing ban on all Sudanese flights. According to Sudanese authorities quoted by Reuters, the UAE also prevented a Sudanese aircraft from departing Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Sudanese officials expressed surprise at the decision, calling it “unexpected” and “concerning.” They added that they are working with airlines to “reprogram bookings for passengers traveling to and from the UAE.”

As of Thursday evening, Emirati officials had yet to issue a public response to Sudan’s statement.

Tensions between the two nations have been simmering for months. In May, Khartoum formally severed diplomatic ties with Abu Dhabi, accusing the UAE of backing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with advanced weaponry in the ongoing war that erupted in April 2023.

The UAE has denied direct involvement, but growing evidence, including leaked arms transfers and regional intelligence reports, has fueled accusations that the Gulf state is playing a destabilizing role in Sudan’s internal war.

UAE escalating support for RSF

In a May statement shared by Sudanese Information Minister Khaled al-Aiseer and reported by Reuters, the council declared the UAE a "hostile state" and announced the closure of Sudan's embassy and consulate in the Emirates. 

"For over two years, the world has witnessed an act of aggression against Sudan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and civilian safety by the UAE and its local proxy, the terrorist rebel militia known as the Rapid Support Forces, along with its political backers," the statement read. 

It further accused the UAE of escalating support for the RSF with sophisticated strategic weaponry following the group's battlefield defeats. 

These arms, the council said, were used to target critical infrastructure across Sudan, including oil and gas depots, the Port Sudan airport, electricity stations, and hotels, endangering the lives of millions of civilians and threatening both regional and Red Sea security.