
The American newspaper The New York Times reported that U.S. officials confirmed that the United Arab Emirates hosted the leader of the Rapid Support Forces militia, Hemedti, in Abu Dhabi and supplied the RSF with weapons in Sudan.
U.S. officials added: “Abu Dhabi provided Hemedti with a safe haven in a villa under its protection and allowed him to record speeches for his supporters in Sudan. It then began implementing a secret plan to supply the RSF with weapons through an airbase in eastern Chad.”
According to the American newspaper, U.S. intelligence intercepted direct phone calls between Hemedti and Emirati leaders, including Mohammed bin Zayed and Mansour bin Zayed. It also identified the individuals behind a network of shell companies managed by Emirati officials to fund and arm the Rapid Support Forces.