emirates7 - The UAE's Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, announced on Wednesday that the country's security forces had successfully intercepted an illegal operation to smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces.
According to Dr. Al Shamsi, the operation was uncovered after authorities arrested members of a cell involved in unauthorised mediation and arms trafficking without the required licenses. The suspects were apprehended during an inspection of a private aircraft at a UAE airport, where officials discovered around five million rounds of 54.7 x 62mm Goryunov-type ammunition. Part of the payment for the deal was also found in hotel rooms belonging to two of the suspects.
The investigation revealed that individuals tied to the Sudanese military were involved, including former intelligence chief Salah Gosh, an ex-intelligence officer, a former advisor to the finance minister, and a political figure linked to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy, Yasser Al-Atta. Several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.
Authorities found that the group had brokered weapons deals worth millions of dollars, involving Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, machine guns, and ammunition. These arms were transferred from the Sudanese military to a UAE-based importing company using the informal “hawaladars” money transfer network. The transactions were arranged through a firm linked to a fugitive working for the Sudanese military, in coordination with Colonel Othman Al-Zubair, who handles financial matters for the armed forces. Falsified documents and contracts were used to disguise the arms transactions as sugar imports.
The investigation concluded that these operations were approved by the Sudanese Armed Forces' Armament Committee, led by Al-Burhan and Al-Atta. A political associate of Al-Burhan, Ahmed Rabie Ahmed Al-Sayed, was found to have overseen the certification and approvals for the deals.
Salah Gosh was identified as a key figure coordinating the illicit arms trade in the UAE, working alongside the other members of the cell. The group profited $2.6 million over the actual cost of the weapons deals, and Gosh’s portion of the proceeds was recovered from Khalid Youssef Mukhtar Youssef, a former intelligence officer and his former chief of staff.
The smuggled cargo arrived in the UAE from another country aboard a private jet, which had falsely declared its load as medical supplies while stopping to refuel. The actual military cargo was uncovered under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, based on warrants from the Attorney General.
Officials also confiscated forged documents, contracts, audio recordings, and messages between the cell members. Additionally, the investigation linked several companies owned by a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman—one of which operates in the UAE—to the arms trade. These companies were found to have supplied the Sudanese military with weapons, grenades, drones, and ammunition. One of the firms is currently under U.S. sanctions.
Investigators noted that the group’s financial interests were deeply connected to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, as profits appeared to be contingent on the continuation of internal unrest.
Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that this case represents a severe violation of the UAE’s national security, as it attempted to use the country as a hub for illegal arms transfers to a conflict zone. He confirmed that legal proceedings are underway, and the suspects will be referred to urgent trial. Further details will be shared once the investigation is finalized.
According to Dr. Al Shamsi, the operation was uncovered after authorities arrested members of a cell involved in unauthorised mediation and arms trafficking without the required licenses. The suspects were apprehended during an inspection of a private aircraft at a UAE airport, where officials discovered around five million rounds of 54.7 x 62mm Goryunov-type ammunition. Part of the payment for the deal was also found in hotel rooms belonging to two of the suspects.
The investigation revealed that individuals tied to the Sudanese military were involved, including former intelligence chief Salah Gosh, an ex-intelligence officer, a former advisor to the finance minister, and a political figure linked to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy, Yasser Al-Atta. Several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.
Authorities found that the group had brokered weapons deals worth millions of dollars, involving Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, machine guns, and ammunition. These arms were transferred from the Sudanese military to a UAE-based importing company using the informal “hawaladars” money transfer network. The transactions were arranged through a firm linked to a fugitive working for the Sudanese military, in coordination with Colonel Othman Al-Zubair, who handles financial matters for the armed forces. Falsified documents and contracts were used to disguise the arms transactions as sugar imports.
The investigation concluded that these operations were approved by the Sudanese Armed Forces' Armament Committee, led by Al-Burhan and Al-Atta. A political associate of Al-Burhan, Ahmed Rabie Ahmed Al-Sayed, was found to have overseen the certification and approvals for the deals.
Salah Gosh was identified as a key figure coordinating the illicit arms trade in the UAE, working alongside the other members of the cell. The group profited $2.6 million over the actual cost of the weapons deals, and Gosh’s portion of the proceeds was recovered from Khalid Youssef Mukhtar Youssef, a former intelligence officer and his former chief of staff.
The smuggled cargo arrived in the UAE from another country aboard a private jet, which had falsely declared its load as medical supplies while stopping to refuel. The actual military cargo was uncovered under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, based on warrants from the Attorney General.
Officials also confiscated forged documents, contracts, audio recordings, and messages between the cell members. Additionally, the investigation linked several companies owned by a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman—one of which operates in the UAE—to the arms trade. These companies were found to have supplied the Sudanese military with weapons, grenades, drones, and ammunition. One of the firms is currently under U.S. sanctions.
Investigators noted that the group’s financial interests were deeply connected to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, as profits appeared to be contingent on the continuation of internal unrest.
Dr. Al Shamsi emphasized that this case represents a severe violation of the UAE’s national security, as it attempted to use the country as a hub for illegal arms transfers to a conflict zone. He confirmed that legal proceedings are underway, and the suspects will be referred to urgent trial. Further details will be shared once the investigation is finalized.