Gulf News

Air force drill to boost Saudi-Sudan ties

Khartoum switches backing to Riyadh amid sectarian divisions

-

Sudan said on Sunday it will begin this week a joint air force drill with Saudi Arabia, the first such manoeuvres since Khartoum allied with Riyadh after breaking ties with Tehran in 2015.

The exercises will be held from March 29 until April 12 in Meroe, north of Khartoum, and will involve hundreds of air force personnel from both countries.

For years, the Islamist regime in Khartoum maintained close relations with Iran, but as sectarian divisions in the region were sharpened by the conflict in Syria, Khartoum allied with Riyadh.

In 2015 it announced it would take part in a Saudi-led military interventi­on in nearby Yemen against Iran-backed rebels.

The air force exercises are aimed at improving the operationa­l capacities of the two air forces, improving techniques related to air operations and promoting cooperatio­n, a senior Sudanese air force officer told reporters. “The plan to hold these exercises was proposed by our brothers in Saudi Arabia,” said Salaheddin Abdul Khalid, acting chief of staff of Sudanese air force.

A year in planning

“We have been planning this exercise for nearly a year,” Abdul Khalid said.

Sudan will participat­e in the manoeuvres with more than two dozen fighter planes including MiG-29s and Sukhoi jets, he said.

Saudi Arabia will have F15s and Eurofighte­r Typhoons taking part. A group of Saudi fighter pilots will also stage an air show in Khartoum between April 10 and 12.

Ties between Khartoum and Riyadh have strengthen­ed after Sudan joined the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen that is fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels. “Saudi Arabia is now familiar with our skills and I am myself fighting in Yemen,” said Abdul Khalid.

Analysts say the relationsh­ip serves both countries, with Sudan eager to ease its internatio­nal isolation and Saudi Arabia looking for avenues for investment to reduce its dependence on oil.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates