Netanyahu's Alliance Map Signals Israel's Sudan Civil War Stance
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's national security map indicates Israel's alignment with the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan's civil war, marking them as friendly alongside the UAE. Territories controlled by the Sudanese army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan are shown as friendly to "Sunni Diamond" nations. This comes after Sudan's stalled normalization with Israel following a conflict between al-Burhan and RSF leader Mohammed Dagalo. A former Sudanese official criticized the move, warning it could push al-Burhan towards Israel's rivals.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's national security map, presented by PM Netanyahu, signals alignment with Sudan's RSF militia.
- The RSF, led by Mohammed Dagalo, are marked as friendly to Israel and the UAE.
- Sudanese army territories under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan are designated friendly to "Sunni Diamond" nations.
- The map suggests a shift after Sudan's normalization with Israel stalled due to internal conflict.
- A former Sudanese official warned the move could push al-Burhan towards Iran and Turkey.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presentation of a national security concept has revealed what appears to be Israel's first overt alignment in Sudan's civil war. A map displayed by Netanyahu on Sunday indicated that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohammed Dagalo, are viewed as a friendly entity by Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The RSF leaders have been accused of genocide in Darfur and atrocities during the current conflict.
Conversely, territories controlled by the regular Sudanese army, under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, are marked on the map as friendly to the "Sunni Diamond" countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. This positioning suggests a significant shift in Israel's approach to the Sudanese conflict.
Previously, in 2020, following the Abraham Accords with the UAE and Bahrain, the Trump administration persuaded al-Burhan to join the agreements, leading to Sudan's removal from terror-sponsoring lists and economic benefits. However, a falling out between al-Burhan and his deputy Dagalo over three years ago plunged Sudan into a brutal civil war, stalling normalization with Israel.
While Israel reportedly maintained contact with both sides during the war, with both factions accused of massacres and al-Burhan allegedly using chemical weapons, Netanyahu's map appears to clarify Israel's chosen side. Abu al-Qasim Bortom, a former member of the Sovereignty Council close to al-Burhan's regime, criticized the move, stating that Israeli support for the RSF weakens al-Burhan's standing and pushes him closer to Israel's regional rivals like Iran and Turkey. He added that in Sudan, supporting the RSF is seen as siding with an enemy.
The Prime Minister's office had not provided a response to inquiries by the time of reporting. The conflict in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, has resulted in at least 2,000 deaths, with rebel forces accused of widespread atrocities.