Assassination Attempts on Al-Burhan… A Gateway to Chaos!
As I See
Adel Al-Baz
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The assassins are shouting everywhere that they will kill him, yet no one moves.
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Everyone knew Santiago Nasar would be killed in Gabriel García Márquez’s Chronicle of a Death Foretold, but no one acted—until it happened right in front of his house.
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The latest assassination attempt on President Al-Burhan occurred when Emirati drones struck Port Sudan on May 6, 2025. The attack didn’t only aim to destroy oil infrastructure; it carried a far more dangerous message—directed straight to President Al-Burhan himself. A high-precision missile targeted his residence, just 300 meters from the Marina Hotel, part of which was damaged. The missile missed—perhaps due to strong electronic jamming in the area, or perhaps intentionally—to send a warning. Either way, this incident confirms that the plot to assassinate Al-Burhan has remained active since the beginning of the war, as part of a broader chaos strategy.
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From day one of the war, President Al-Burhan has been the prime target for assassination—critical for the coup’s success. On the morning of April 15, 2023, around 2,000 RSF fighters, heavily armed, marched on the military headquarters to capture or kill him. Hemedti told Al Jazeera Mubasher, “We will continue to pursue Al-Burhan and bring him to justice” (a justice we all know too well). In a voice recording dated May 15, 2023, he declared, “Al-Burhan will be in our hands—sooner or later.” If not for the heroic sacrifice of 35 young men who gave their lives, the plan would have succeeded. While both the country and the president narrowly escaped that time, the plot persists.
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On July 31, 2024, Al-Burhan survived another assassination attempt via drone during a graduation ceremony in the Red Sea State. Five people were killed, including students and an officer. Heavy rains had flooded the original stage area, forcing organizers to relocate the podium that morning. The drone missile struck the initial site instead.
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At dawn on May 6, 2025, the Coral Marina Hotel in Port Sudan was hit by a guided missile. Hotel Director Major General Hassan Saleh confirmed the use of an AGM-114 Hellfire—a well-known American air-to-surface missile used for both stationary and moving targets. Accusations immediately pointed to the UAE. Why? Because militias don’t possess such advanced weaponry. These missiles are delivered under strict conditions and cannot be used without the knowledge and approval of the U.S., the sole manufacturer—Lockheed Martin.
Source: DSCA (U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency)
Does the UAE own such missiles? Yes. In 2016, the UAE purchased 4,000 AGM-114R/K Hellfire missiles worth $476 million, and another 500 of the AGM-114R3 variant in 2011.
Source: DSCA
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The AGM-114 Hellfire requires a specific launch platform—the MQ-9 Reaper drone, one of the most dangerous in the world. With a top speed of 480 km/h and a flight endurance of over 72 hours at altitudes up to 15 km, it’s used for reconnaissance, target tracking, precision strikes, and support.
Does the UAE possess MQ-9 Reapers? Yes. In January 2021, the UAE signed a deal with the U.S. to purchase 18 MQ-9B Reapers. Some variants include radar and signal-jamming systems, enhancing their ability to conduct precise and stealthy attacks.
Source: DSCA, January 15, 2021
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Currently, the only country in conflict with Sudan, internationally accused of arming militias, and possessing both the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and MQ-9B Reaper drones—with bases from which these drones could be launched—is the UAE. From Al Dhafra Air Base, which is about 2,050 kilometers from Port Sudan (well within range), the MQ-9B Reaper can reach the city in 3 to 3.5 hours and remain airborne for over 70 hours. No other state or actor in the region has these capabilities.
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To carry out such a strike without violating U.S. restrictions or exposing its aggression, the UAE likely used massive signal jamming along the drone’s flight path. Admiral Ben Key, head of the British Royal Navy, warned of systematic GPS disruptions affecting ships during late April to early May 2024—precisely the period when Port Sudan was attacked. He confirmed intense radar and GPS interference during that time. This is exactly what the MQ-9B Reaper does—it can jam radars and GPS, making it nearly impossible to trace its origin, path, or target. That’s what happened during and after the May 6, 2025 attacks on Port Sudan and President Al-Burhan’s residence.
Why would the UAE attempt to assassinate President Al-Burhan in such a blatant way, especially when modern surveillance makes attribution very possible?
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There are five possibilities:
The UAE is indifferent to consequences, confident in its ability to buy influence—from Trump to Ruto.
It seeks to coerce Al-Burhan into negotiations that would reintegrate militias and their allies into Sudan’s political and military landscape.
Abu Dhabi has realized Al-Burhan won’t yield, and refuses any compromise involving militia leadership.
In despair over military failure, the UAE might aim to plunge Sudan into chaos through Al-Burhan’s assassination—knowing that finding a consensus replacement would be nearly impossible, and that this could fracture the army and divide the country.
The UAE may have already selected an internal traitor to replace Al-Burhan—someone who, upon taking power, would declare an unconditional ceasefire, paving the way for militias to do as they please. Not likely—but not impossible.
Conclusion:
What happened in Port Sudan was not just about destroying fuel tanks. The Marina Hotel attack was no accident. It was part of a deliberate and ongoing plot to assassinate President Al-Burhan—driven by foreign actors intent on dragging Sudan into chaos. This is a clear, repeated attempt to eliminate the head of state, and with him, the country’s remaining political and security stability.
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Given the repeated attempts, Al-Burhan must limit public exposure, expand personal security, and urgently enhance presidential and intelligence protection. Air defense systems must be upgraded, foreign interventions exposed, and the public and diplomatic channels consistently briefed.
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Every time the army gains ground and nears defeating the militia and its allies, their determination to execute this assassination scenario intensifies. They have no other option left but to quickly plunge the country into chaos—and the fastest way to do so is by killing Al-Burhan.
Sudan, now fighting its greatest battle for survival, cannot afford another symbolic defeat. Targeting the leadership is targeting the nation itself.
O God, have I delivered the message?
