Sudan accuses Ethiopia of involvement in civil war for the first times

Sudan accuses Ethiopia of allowing drones launched from Ethiopia to attack 'Sudan in February and March. This is the first time Sudan has directly accused Ethiopia for its involvement in the three-year civil conflict.

The statement from the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, released late on Monday, is the latest indication that regional powers are stepping in to help resolve one of the deadliest conflicts in the world between the army, and Rapid Support Forces.

A spokesperson from the Ethiopian Prime Minister's Office did not respond immediately to a comment request. The launch of attack drones by Ethiopia has not been independently verified.

The Sudanese Army has been fighting against the paramilitary RSF, in a war that has threatened to split the country. Millions of people have fled their homes.

Eyewitnesses report that the statement did not specify the location of the alleged attacks, but in the past few weeks the Blue Nile State, located on the border with Ethiopia, has been the scene of'small skirmishes' and drone attacks.

Blue Nile is controlled in part by the SPLM N rebel group, which aligned itself with the RSF late last year.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the alleged drone strikes represent "a flagrant violation of Sudanese sovereignty and an outright aggression against the Sudanese State."

The Sudanese Government warned the Ethiopian authorities about the dangers of hostile acts. It also asserted its right to defend'sovereignty, territorial integrity and to respond by any means possible to such attacks.

Exclusively reported last month that Ethiopia hosted a secret camp for training thousands of fighters to join the RSF.

The Ethiopian government spokesperson, its army and the RSF have not responded to requests for detailed comments about this story. The Sudanese Armed Forces did not respond to a comment request on this story.

The RSF controls the Darfur region of Sudan's west while the army retains control over the eastern half.

Both sides are fighting for the Kordofan region, which lies between their zones of control.

Drones are a major feature of this war. They allow the RSF to compete with the established army in the air, and they also contribute to the mass casualties among civilians. (Reporting and writing by Khalid Abdelaziz; editing by Mike Collett White)

(source: Reuters)