The Iranian Scarecrow: Abu Dhabi Media Directs Its Arrows at Sudan

Dr Al-Haytham Al-Kindi Yousif
At a time when the Sudanese Armed Forces are engaged in what is described as the Battle of Dignity to cleanse the country of militias of treachery and mercenarism, we are witnessing a wave of coordinated media messaging—foremost among them Sky News Arabia—seeking to link Sudan and its armed forces to the Iranian axis. Regrettably, this is at times reinforced by voices from within Sudan itself, hosted as commentators to lend credibility to such claims.
This persistence from the authorities in Abu Dhabi is not a mere media coincidence; rather, it is a transparent political tactic aimed at achieving objectives that extend beyond Sudan’s geographical boundaries.
First objective: Driving a wedge between Sudan and its allies
This is pursued through attempts to create a rift in Sudan’s relations with Gulf states that have supported it—particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Abu Dhabi appears to recognise that Sudan’s alignment with its Arab depth constitutes a barrier against its ambitions in the Red Sea and Sudan’s resources. Accordingly, it seeks to portray the Sudanese army as an Iranian proxy, to distance Saudi Arabia from Sudan and weaken Sudan’s position through diplomatic isolation.
Second objective: Inciting Israeli intervention
This is pursued by demonising Sudan and placing it in confrontation with Israel, exploiting the prevailing military tensions in the region to potentially render Sudan a target of airstrikes or intelligence operations—under the pretext of destroying Iranian weapons depots or targeting Iranian advisers.
Such propaganda, which appears aimed at undermining Sudan’s military structure, may also seek to neutralise elements within the armed forces leadership, thereby creating a command vacuum. Additionally, it could slow the army’s advance on various battlefronts, thereby granting the Rapid Support Forces a lifeline to compensate for battlefield losses and regain momentum, in a manner that serves Abu Dhabi’s strategic agenda.
It must be clearly stated here that Sudan, as a sovereign state, has the right to procure arms from any source it deems appropriate, so long as this does not contravene international law. Moreover, the diversification of Sudan’s external relations reflects diplomatic health and does not in any way conflict with the interests of its regional allies. Sudan is not subordinate to any power; its decisions stem from its national interest in protecting its land and its people.
What, then, is required?
The Sudanese government must respond more proactively to this disinformation by:
– Activating pre-emptive diplomacy to dispel concerns among Gulf allies and clarify the fallacies of the propaganda promoted by Abu Dhabi.
– Undertaking high-level presidential engagement through official visits by the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council to Riyadh and Doha, reaffirming Sudan’s position and rejecting any threats to the security of these states from any party.
– Employing counter-media strategies to articulate Sudan’s stance, including its clear rejection of any targeting of Gulf states, while also affirming its opposition to the American-Israeli attacks on Iran—attacks that have contributed to the current destabilising consequences.
It appears that Abu Dhabi’s compass, as usual, is misdirected. It would have been more appropriate for its authorities to address their allies in Washington and Tel Aviv, who ignited the conflict and left the region exposed to Iranian retaliation, rather than lamenting over files they failed to manage in favour of external agendas.
The attempt to suffocate Sudan through the Iranian file is a losing bet. The Sudanese people and their armed forces are fully aware of who stands with them in the trench of dignity—and who targets them with poisoned media narratives while financing those responsible for the destruction of their country.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=12265