"Exclusive: UAE flights linked to Sudan war tracked from Israel to Ethiopia" 21 January 2026

A cargo plane previously linked to the supply of weapons to UAE-backed fighters in Sudan and Libya has made a number of flights in recent days between military bases in Abu Dhabi, Israel, Bahrain and Ethiopia, Middle East Eye can reveal...While the purpose and any connection between the flights is unclear...

The flight-tracking data analysed by MEE in recent days revealed a pattern of repeat flights between Abu Dhabi and Harar Meda airport, the main base of the Ethiopian Air Force, by an Antonov An-124 cargo plane flown by Maximus Air with the tail number UR-ZYD...The Sudanese intelligence source also said that the RSF had recently purchased “a minimum of six fighter jets” - Sukhoi Su-24s and MiG-25s that usually come from Serbia, which has a well-developed relationship with International Golden Group, an Emirati defence contractor...

Middle East Eye has contacted the UAE’s foreign ministry, the Ethiopian foreign ministry, the Rapid Support Forces and Maximus Air asking for comment. The UAE has denied supporting the RSF, which has been widely accused of genocide in Darfur, western Sudan...Abu Dhabi-based Maximus Air describes itself as “the largest all-cargo airline in the UAE”. It is part of the Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) group of companies which is majority owned by an investment fund, ADQ, chaired by UAE national security advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan...In a report from 2021, the panel accused Maximus Air of violating a UN resolution prohibiting the direct or indirect supply of weapons to parties fighting in Libya...

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