KHARTOUM—Sudan’s internal conflict has entered a volatile new phase, providing fertile ground for Iranian-backed terror networks to exploit the chaos. The struggle for power between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has fragmented the nation, destabilized key regions along the Red Sea, and opened critical smuggling corridors. This instability is not only a humanitarian disaster for millions of Sudanese residents—it is also rapidly evolving into a significant security threat for Israel and the Middle East.
Sudan: A Strategic Regional Crossroads
Sudan sits at a geostrategic junction in northeast Africa, sharing borders with Egypt, the Red Sea, and the embattled Sahel region. Following the 2019 overthrow of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, power struggles intensified, culminating in the outbreak of civil war in April 2023 between the SAF, under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti). As violence swept Khartoum and other urban centers, state authority collapsed in large swaths of the country.
Exploiting this vacuum, Iran—intent on projecting its power across Africa and the Middle East—has ramped up support for militant proxies and arms pipelines. Sudan’s vast, porous borders and weak institutions make it an attractive logistics hub for such activities.
Iranian Influence: Networks and Arms Smuggling
For much of the past decade, Sudan has served as a key transit point for Iranian arms destined for terror organizations, most notably Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Western and Israeli intelligence have confirmed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and associated operatives manage smuggling routes from ports in Sudan through Egypt and into the Sinai Peninsula, then on to Gaza. These routes also facilitate the movement of advanced weaponry and technology, including drones and missile components, underpinning the terror capacity of Iranian proxies.
Since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since World War II—Israel has heightened its vigilance along all suspected arms routes. Israeli officials have repeatedly stressed that Iranian-supplied weaponry routed through Sudan contributed directly to attacks against Israeli civilians and infrastructure. The linkage between Iranian support, Sudanese instability, and the increased tactical capacity of terror groups represents a direct threat to Israel’s security.
Israel’s Response: Preemptive Self-Defense and Regional Cooperation
Israel has maintained a policy of preempting emerging terror threats by targeting Iranian supply lines before arms and operatives reach Israel’s borders. While many actions remain classified, reports have surfaced of Israeli airstrikes within Sudan targeting arms convoys, depots, and suspected IRGC facilities. These strikes, aimed at disrupting Iranian supply chains, demonstrate Israel’s resolve to defend itself beyond its immediate periphery.
Israel’s intelligence community continues to monitor developments in Sudan closely. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, has emphasized the need for cross-border vigilance and reinforced regional partnerships to counter these threats. In this context, Israel collaborates with Egypt and other eastern African partners to tighten border security, intercept arms shipments, and share actionable intelligence.
Diplomacy, Normalization, and the Abraham Accords
Despite its ongoing conflict, Sudan agreed in 2020 to normalize relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, a process brokered by the United States. Though progress stalled amid the country’s civil strife, Sudan’s interim leadership has maintained discreet contact with Israeli officials, united by mutual concern over Iranian destabilization.
For Israel, Sudan’s strategic pivot away from Iran and toward normalization could serve as a bulwark against the spread of Iranian-backed terror networks across Africa. U.S. mediation, spearheaded under President Donald Trump, aimed to sever Sudan’s past terrorist ties by supporting the current leadership and facilitating economic development. However, the persistence of war and competing militant factions threaten to delay the full realization of diplomatic and security benefits.
Humanitarian Fallout: Terror’s Impact on Civilians
Sudan’s civil war, aggravated by foreign intervention and arms trafficking, has pushed millions into displacement and deprivation. Human rights organizations have documented widespread atrocities, including ethnic violence in Darfur and the recruitment of child soldiers. The influx of Iranian arms and expertise has not only fueled local conflicts but also enabled the RSF and extremists to entrench themselves in civilian areas, deepening the crisis.
For Israel, the humanitarian consequences further validate the need to deny Iranian-backed militias access to advanced weaponry. Israeli security officials stress that continuing instability will reinforce the web of terror networks stretching from Iran through Sudan and threatening Israel directly.
Regional Alliances and Security Coordination
Israel’s approach to the Sudan challenge is multifaceted. In addition to targeting arms shipments, Israel works closely with Egypt—whose leaders also see Iranian expansion as a threat—to reinforce Red Sea and Sinai security. Israeli diplomatic efforts extend to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and other African states, promoting joint measures against terror and smuggling networks.
International partners, including the United States, support these efforts through intelligence sharing, sanctions against designated groups, and humanitarian initiatives to stabilize Sudan and the region. U.S. Central Command regularly coordinates with Israeli counterparts to monitor arms flows, while targeted economic sanctions seek to curtail the resources of groups like the IRGC and their Sudanese affiliates.
Conclusion: Security, Accountability, and Regional Stability
Sudan’s deepening instability poses a direct security threat to Israel and its allies, creating opportunities for Iranian-backed terror organizations to expand their reach across Africa. Israeli policymakers and security agencies remain committed to countering these threats through intelligence, military, and diplomatic actions that uphold the country’s right to self-defense.
As the situation evolves, Israel continues to advocate for international engagement to prevent Sudan from becoming a permanent base for the “Axis of Resistance,” which includes Hamas, Hezbollah, the IRGC, and affiliated militias. The ultimate resolution lies not only in military and intelligence activities, but also in diplomatic normalization and responsible support for those in Sudan working to resist terror and restore stability.
