Amid increasing geopolitical tension in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, a series of cargo flights linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised alarms. These flights, operated by Maximus Air and involving the world’s largest military transport aircraft, the Antonov An-124, have been making regular trips between military bases in Abu Dhabi, Israel, Bahrain, and Ethiopia. The flights are part of a complex web of supply routes that are believed to be supporting the UAE’s ongoing military interests in Sudan, Libya, and other regions of strategic importance.
These operations come against the backdrop of a growing rivalry between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which is reshaping the political and military dynamics of the Middle East and Africa. With the war in Sudan intensifying, and the UAE’s role in supporting Sudanese rebel forces now under global scrutiny, these cargo flights are gaining attention for their potential link to weapons supplies and military support for UAE-backed forces.
UAE’s Growing Influence and Strategic Alliances
The UAE has long been a key player in the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East and North Africa, leveraging its wealth and military capabilities to exert influence. Recently, the UAE has intensified its focus on military operations and strategic alliances in the Horn of Africa and North Africa, regions that have become increasingly important due to their proximity to the Middle East and their geopolitical significance.
In particular, the UAE’s military presence in countries like Somalia, Eritrea, and Libya has been a source of concern for neighboring powers, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The UAE’s support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan has also raised eyebrows, especially as the Sudanese civil war has spiraled into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The UAE’s alliances in the region have become even more critical with the changing dynamics in Yemen. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has launched military operations to push back the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) from the Yemeni city of Aden, signaling an intensification of the Saudi-UAE rivalry. In this context, the UAE’s cargo flights between key military bases are being seen as part of its broader strategy to maintain influence over the region.
Cargo Flights Between Key Military Bases
A closer look at the flight patterns of the Antonov An-124, identified as the aircraft UR-ZYD, reveals a consistent route between military bases in the UAE, Israel, Bahrain, and Ethiopia. This aircraft, known for its ability to transport heavy military cargo, including helicopters and military vehicles, has made several trips to Harar Meda Airport, the main base of the Ethiopian Air Force, in recent weeks. This has raised questions about the nature of the cargo being transported and its potential connection to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
The flight data shows that UR-ZYD has made multiple trips between Abu Dhabi and Harar Meda, with the aircraft landing at Ethiopian airbases on January 3, 12, and 15. The flights are believed to be linked to the UAE’s military operations in the Horn of Africa and Sudan, where the UAE has been supporting the RSF in its fight against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
The cargo capacity of the Antonov An-124 is vast, capable of transporting up to 18 military vehicles or several helicopters in one flight. This gives the UAE a significant logistical advantage, enabling it to rapidly deploy military assets across the region. The flights to Ethiopia are especially concerning, as they suggest a growing UAE military footprint in the Horn of Africa, where Ethiopia is an important ally.
UAE’s Involvement in Sudan and Libya
The UAE’s military cargo flights have raised concerns about the supply of weapons to forces involved in conflicts in Sudan and Libya. The Sudanese conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, has drawn in several regional actors, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey supporting the SAF, while the UAE has backed the RSF. This geopolitical tug-of-war has made Sudan a focal point in the UAE-Saudi rivalry, as both countries seek to influence the outcome of the war.
Reports indicate that the UAE has used its military cargo flights to supply weapons to the RSF, including heavy artillery and military vehicles. Maximus Air, the UAE-based airline responsible for these flights, has been linked to past sanctions violations, including the supply of weapons to General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) in Libya. The UN’s Panel of Experts has previously accused Maximus Air of violating UN resolutions that prohibit the direct or indirect supply of arms to parties in the Libyan conflict.
The UAE’s involvement in both Sudan and Libya underscores its strategy of using military proxies to exert influence across the region. By supplying arms and military support to the RSF in Sudan and Haftar’s forces in Libya, the UAE is positioning itself as a key player in the region’s volatile power struggles.
Flight Connections to Israel and Bahrain
The flight paths of the Antonov An-124 are also notable for their connection to Israel and Bahrain, two countries with which the UAE has strengthened relations in recent years. These flights further illustrate the UAE’s complex network of alliances and military collaborations in the region. In December 2025, the aircraft made several trips between Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base and Israel’s Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, raising questions about the nature of the cargo and its intended recipients.
Given the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Libya, these flights may be part of the UAE’s broader strategy of coordinating military efforts with regional allies. Israel and Bahrain, both of which have signed normalization agreements with the UAE, have increasingly become important partners in the UAE’s security and military operations. The flights to these countries may indicate a growing role for Israel in UAE-backed operations in the Horn of Africa and North Africa.
Concerns About the UAE’s Role in the Sudan Conflict
The UAE’s actions in Sudan have attracted significant international attention, particularly its support for the RSF. The RSF has been accused of committing atrocities during the conflict, including the targeting of civilians and the use of child soldiers. These actions have prompted calls for accountability, with some international bodies calling for sanctions against the UAE for its support of the RSF.
Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), has raised concerns about the UAE’s role in supplying weapons to the RSF, particularly in light of the significant cargo capacity of the Antonov An-124. “Evidence that an An-124 has been making repeated sorties between Abu Dhabi and this airfield, seeing increased uptick in RSF presence and operations, should be of global concern,” Raymond stated. He emphasized that if the UAE is indeed supplying the RSF with weapons, it would be incumbent on Ethiopia to prevent further access to its airspace by the UAE and its proxies.
The Haftar Connection: A Broader Regional Strategy
The UAE’s involvement in the Sudanese conflict is also linked to its support for General Khalifa Haftar’s forces in Libya. Haftar, who controls much of eastern Libya, has received significant military backing from the UAE, which has used its air assets to supply weapons to Haftar’s forces. The connection between the UAE, Sudan, and Libya suggests a broader strategy by Abu Dhabi to extend its influence across the region using military support for local proxies.
This growing involvement in regional conflicts has raised concerns about the UAE’s long-term strategy in the Middle East and North Africa. The UAE’s actions in Sudan, Libya, and the Horn of Africa highlight its increasing militarization and its efforts to assert itself as a dominant power in the region.
Geopolitical Implications and Future Developments
The UAE’s ongoing cargo flights, its support for the RSF in Sudan, and its broader military involvement in North Africa and the Horn of Africa raise serious concerns about the implications for regional stability. As the UAE’s influence continues to grow, it is likely that its military operations will become an even more integral part of its geopolitical strategy.
For regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the UAE’s actions in Sudan and Libya are seen as direct challenges to their influence in the region. Meanwhile, countries like Ethiopia, which have deepened ties with the UAE, are increasingly drawn into this complex web of alliances and conflicts.
The future of the UAE’s military operations in Sudan, Libya, and the Horn of Africa will depend on the evolving geopolitical dynamics of the region. As tensions between the UAE and Saudi Arabia escalate, and as the Sudanese conflict intensifies, the actions of the UAE in these regions will continue to shape the broader Middle Eastern and African political landscape.
