WASHINGTON (Reuters) Al-YURAE- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Thursday the United States had held direct talks with countries accused of fueling the conflict in Sudan and urged countries in the region to pressure Iran not to intervene in the war.
Reuters on Wednesday quoted a senior Sudanese army source as saying armed Iranian drones had helped the army turn the tide of the conflict, halt the advance of rival Rapid Support Forces and retake territory around the capital.
Six Iranian sources, officials and diplomats in the region, who, like the military source, asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the information, told Reuters the military had acquired Iranian-made drones in recent months.
Thomas Greenfield told reporters at the State Department in Washington ahead of the April 15 anniversary when the conflict in Sudan began: “We have had a lot of discussions with countries in the region and during those discussions we have called on countries to urge other countries like Iran not to engage in war.”
The war has thrown millions into hunger, created the world’s largest displacement crisis and caused waves of ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence in Sudan’s western Darfur region.
U.N. experts say the RSF’s war effort is backed by neighbouring African countries including Chad, Libya and South Sudan, and there are credible claims of material support from the UAE for the RSF.
The UAE said its role in Sudan was focused on humanitarian support and it was calling for de-escalation.
Thomas Greenfield added that the United States has held direct talks with countries believed to be fueling war, saying Washington is constantly reaching out to those mentioned in news reports, such as the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
“We have made it clear to all partners across the region that escalating the war at this time will not only increase the humanitarian cost, but actually risk destabilizing the entire region,” said U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello.
“Now is the time because every arms shipment, every part that fuels this conflict, pushes us not only closer to famine, but to a failed state.”
