UN Report Exposes Libyan Role in Fueling Sudan Conflict with Mercenaries
A United Nations investigation has uncovered that paramilitary forces fighting against the Sudanese military received substantial support from an armed group based in Libya, significantly intensifying the chaos and devastation of the ongoing war in Sudan. The findings, detailed in a report released days after the conflict's third anniversary, highlight the transnational dimensions of the crisis.
Libyan Battalion Facilitated Mercenary and Equipment Transfers
According to the UN's Panel of Experts on Libya, the Subul al-Salam Battalion, part of the self-styled Libyan National Army commanded by General Khalifa Hifter, played a pivotal role in transferring former Colombian military personnel, weapons, and fuel across the border to bolster the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This battalion operates from the southern Libyan town of Kufra, a strategic location bordering Sudan, Chad, and Egypt.
The report, covering the period from October 2024 to February 2026, indicates that the battalion controlled crucial infrastructure, including an airport, which was instrumental in moving arms and fighters to support RSF operations. This support included deploying ground units, providing fighters, and escorting them through Libyan territory, while also facilitating access to fuel and spare vehicle parts.
Strategic Benefits and Border Security Implications
The UN experts detailed how the RSF leveraged Libyan assistance to establish a rear base approximately 75 kilometers southwest of Kufra, as well as utilize an airbase and other facilities as transit points for Colombian fighters. These sites were also used for modifying vehicles imported through Libya, enhancing the paramilitary group's operational capabilities.
This support proved critical in June 2025, enabling the RSF to advance on the Uwaynat area, a border triangle where Sudan, Egypt, and Libya converge. However, the report notes that such activities "weakened border security in southern Libya," raising concerns about regional stability.
Denials and International Accusations
Neither the RSF nor the Subul al-Salam Battalion responded immediately to requests for comment on the allegations. The RSF claimed control over the triangle zone in June, following the Sudanese military's evacuation, which it described as part of defensive arrangements. The Sudanese military has accused Hifter's forces of aiding the RSF's attack—a claim denied by the Libyan commander.
International rights groups have alleged that both Hifter's forces and the RSF received support from the United Arab Emirates, though the UAE has consistently denied these accusations. In response to the Libya-originated supply route, the Sudanese military launched airstrikes in November targeting shipments of vehicles and foreign fighters destined for the paramilitaries.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Sanctions
The war, which erupted on April 15, 2023, from a power struggle between the military and RSF in Khartoum and other regions, has led to catastrophic humanitarian consequences. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, at least 59,000 people have been killed, though this figure is likely an underestimate due to reporting challenges.
The conflict has plunged Sudan into famine and created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. In response, the United States imposed sanctions on Colombian firms and individuals over alleged links to the deployment of former Colombian officers to fight alongside the RSF, underscoring the international ramifications of the mercenary involvement.
This UN report sheds light on the complex web of external support exacerbating the Sudan conflict, calling attention to the urgent need for diplomatic interventions to address the cross-border militarization and alleviate the suffering of millions affected by the war.
