Egypt Expands Military Involvement in Sudan with Deployment of Advanced Drones

Egypt has significantly stepped up its role in Sudan’s nearly three-year civil war by deploying advanced Turkish-made combat drones near its southwestern border, signaling a deeper involvement in the conflict, according to officials and regional experts.

The drones, delivered by Turkey and positioned at a remote airstrip close to Sudan, mark a notable escalation and suggest Cairo is moving beyond political support toward a more direct military role.

Egypt shares a more than 1,200-kilometer border with Sudan and has consistently backed the Sudanese Armed Forces in their fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.

Until recently, Egypt’s involvement was largely limited to diplomatic backing and logistical and technical assistance. Egyptian security officials have acknowledged providing such support but said Cairo had avoided direct participation in combat.

The apparent drone deployment indicates a shift in that stance, as the conflict continues to claim tens of thousands of lives, displace millions, and fuel widespread famine across Sudan.