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UAE foils attempt to smuggle weapons, 5 million rounds of ammunition to Sudan
Investigations concluded that these deals were conducted at the request of the Sudanese Armed Forces Armament Committee, with their full knowledge and approval
- PUBLISHED: Wed 30 Apr 2025, 12:12 PM
- By:
- WAM
UAE's security agencies have foiled an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Members of a cell involved in illegal arms brokerage, mediation, and trade were arrested for operating without the necessary permits from the relevant authorities. The suspects were apprehended while inspecting a large quantity of ammunition inside a private jet at one of the country’s airports.
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The aircraft was carrying approximately five million rounds of 7.62 x 54.7 mm ammunition of the Giranov type. Additionally, part of the transaction’s financial proceeds was found in the possession of two suspects in their hotel rooms.
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Investigations revealed the involvement of members of the cell with senior Sudanese military figures, according to Attorney-General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi.
Those implicated include the former director of Sudanese intelligence, Salah Gosh, a former intelligence officer, the former Minister of Finance’s advisor, and a politician close to Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Yasser al-Atta, along with several Sudanese businessmen.
UAE authorities said they facilitated a military equipment deal involving Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, machine guns, and grenades worth millions of dollars.
The Sudanese army transferred the arms to an importing company inside the UAE using the Hawala Dar method, through a company owned by a fugitive member of the cell working for the Sudanese Armed Forces.
This was coordinated with Colonel Othman Al-Zubair, head of financial operations in the Sudanese military, by fabricating fake commercial contracts and invoices, falsely claiming the funds were for sugar imports.
Who orchestrated the deals?
Investigations concluded that these deals were conducted at the request of the Sudanese Armed Forces Armament Committee, chaired by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy Yasser al-Atta, with their full knowledge and approval. The committee directly tasked cell members with brokering and finalising the deals, specifically through Ahmed Rabie Ahmed Al-Sayed, a politician close to the army leadership, who was responsible for issuing end-user certificates and approvals.
The investigation confirmed that Salah Gosh played a key role in managing the illegal arms trade within the UAE, in cooperation with other cell members.
They received $2.6 million in profit margin from the two deals, which was shared among themselves and their associates. Salah Gosh’s share of the profit was seized along with that of Khalid Youssef Mokhtar Youssef, a former intelligence officer and Gosh’s former chief of staff.
It was also revealed that the shipment recently seized at a UAE airport on a private jet had originated from a foreign country and landed to refuel. It was officially declared as carrying medical supplies, but military equipment was discovered onboard under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, based on legal warrants issued by the Attorney-General.
Authorities seized contract images for both deals, forged shipping documents, and communications and recordings exchanged between cell members.
The investigation further uncovered several companies owned by a Sudanese-born businessman with Ukrainian nationality, including one operating within the UAE. These firms helped supply the Sudanese army with weapons, ammunition, grenades, and drones, in coordination with the cell members and the Sudanese military’s financial officer. One of these companies is listed under US sanctions.
The ongoing investigation highlights that the group’s financial gains are directly tied to the continuation of internal conflict in Sudan.
The Attorney-General emphasised that this case represents a serious breach of national security, as it turns UAE territory into a platform for illicit arms trafficking intended for a country embroiled in civil conflict. It also constitutes criminal offences punishable by law.
He concluded by stating that the Public Prosecution is continuing its investigation in preparation for referring the suspects to an expedited trial, and the final results will be announced upon the investigation's conclusion.
