By Correspondent
Recent media reports have drawn renewed attention to the regional dimensions of the war in Sudan, alleging the existence of military training camps in Somalia and recruitment networks in Ethiopia’s Tigray region that are funneling fighters into the Sudanese conflict.
According to the Voice of Horn, a monitoring account on X, Saudi Arabia is overseeing a military training program in Somalia’s Galguduud region aimed at preparing more than 5,000 Somali recruits for deployment alongside Sudan’s armed forces. The account reported that foreign military contractors from Romania, Ukraine, South Africa and Colombia are conducting the training.
Separately, Addis Standard quoted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as warning that networks are recruiting young people from the Tigray region, including minors, and smuggling them across the border to participate in the war in Sudan. Abiy reportedly described the practice as a security and humanitarian challenge extending beyond Ethiopia’s borders, with networks exploiting the region’s humanitarian and economic conditions.
In its analysis, The Sudan Times argued that the prolonged conflict has enabled networks affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood to re-establish themselves within Sudan’s military establishment. The newspaper pointed to formations including the al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade and said these groups are seeking to restore their political and military influence by taking advantage of the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, BML Daily reported that Saudi Arabia is funding the training programs in Somalia and that some recruits may eventually deploy to Sudan’s battlefronts. The outlet said the programs raise questions about the role of regional actors in the conflict.
Collectively, the reports suggest an emerging cross-border supply network of fighters, indicating that the conflict is increasingly extending beyond Sudan’s borders. The allegations also link these developments to attempts by Islamist groups to restore influence within Sudan, taking advantage of the prolonged conflict.
No official comment has been issued by the parties concerned regarding these claims, and this publication cannot independently verify the allegations.
