Key Takeaway: The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have fought a civil war in Sudan since April 2023. Countries such as Iran, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates are fueling the war to the detriment of US interests in the Red Sea.
US Interests in the Red Sea Region:
Secure Key Maritime Routes for Global Trade
Boost Regional Security and Counterterrorism
Counter Rivals like Iran and Russia
Strengthen Regional Partnerships
Key External Actors and Objectives:
Turkey
Supports: SAF
Objectives:
Secure mining and port deals
Counter the UAE
Areas of Cooperation:
Provides Turkish drones and missiles
Offers to mediate ceasefire deal
Egypt
Supports: SAF
Objectives:
Control spillover of conflict and refugees into Egypt
Counter the UAE and Ethiopia
Areas of Cooperation:
Provides Turkish drones
Trained SAF pilots
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Supports: RSF
Objectives:
Increase port investments and gold trade
Maintain RSF military partnership
Areas of Cooperation:
Provides arms and drones
Hosts RSF financial infrastructure
Iran
Supports: SAF
Objectives:
Secure a Red Sea naval base to support Yemeni Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
Increase trade
Areas of Cooperation:
Provides Iranian drones
Signed trade agreements
Russia
Supports: SAF
Objectives:
Secure a Red Sea naval base to bolster logistics in Africa
Project power into the Red Sea
Gain mining and port deals
Areas of Cooperation:
Provides weapons
Signed new mining and oil deals
