The UAE on Wednesday rejected a decision by Sudan's army-aligned government to sever diplomatic ties with Abu Dhabi, stating that its administration "does not represent the legitimate government of Sudan," as the northeast African nation continues to be ravaged by civil war.

Sudan declared the United Arab Emirates an "aggressor state" on Tuesday, cutting diplomatic ties and shutting down its embassy and consulate in the Gulf state.

The Sudanese government, which relocated to Port Sudan following the outbreak of the civil war in 2023, has accused the UAE of supplying the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with weapons used to attack the military.

However, the UAE has rejected this claim, with Foreign Ministry communications director Afra Al Hameli posting on X Wednesday that the UAE "does not recognize the decision of the Port Sudan Authority, as the Port Sudan Authority does not represent the legitimate government of Sudan and its honourable people."

ICJ dismisses Sudan’s genocide case against UAE

Al Hameli referred to the decision as "a reaction issued just one day after the International Court of Justice dismissed the case submitted by the Port Sudan Authority."

On Monday, the ICJ dismissed Sudan's case against the UAE, which accused it of complicity in genocide by supporting the RSF.

Sudan's ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has seen a deadly struggle between the regular army, led by Sudan’s de facto leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, headed by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Both factions have been embroiled in violent confrontations, leading to a massive humanitarian crisis.

The ICJ ruled that Sudan's case against the UAE "manifestly lacked" jurisdiction and dismissed it. This decision marked a significant setback for the Sudanese government, which had accused the UAE of enabling the RSF in the ongoing war that has caused tens of thousands of deaths, displaced 13 million people, and created one of the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.

The UAE has strongly denied the accusations of backing the RSF, refuting any involvement in the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Port Sudan targeted by drones

Meanwhile, Port Sudan, which had served as a refuge for displaced people and housed United Nations offices, has come under attack.

On Wednesday, the city endured its fourth successive day of airstrikes by drones, with sources confirming the attacks were likely conducted by the RSF.

These drone strikes have worsened the already dire situation in Port Sudan, which has been a key safe haven for those fleeing the violence in other parts of the country.

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