Egypt has been conducting drone strikes on Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from a secret desert airbase, according to satellite images and flight records analyzed by The New York Times. 

According to the report, the airstrip sits beside giant crop circles at the edge of the Sahara, and for at least six months, advanced military drones from this base have been targeting the RSF in Sudan.

A Reuters report states that Egypt has deployed Bayraktar Akinci combat drones in the operations. One of the most advanced drones produced by Turkish defense firm Baykar, the Akinci can fly at high altitudes, remain airborne for up to 24 hours, and carry a wide range of munitions.

The campaign marks a shift in Egypt’s involvement in the war between the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which began in April 2023. Previously, Egypt provided political and logistical support to SAF but largely avoided direct military involvement. 

Egypt’s military intervention follows the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher in October. 

According to Middle East Eye, after the RSF captured el-Fasher, Egypt and Turkey agreed to step up military support for the SAF. 

The news outlet also reported in January that Egypt had “begun bombing RSF supply convoys running close to its territory.”

In December, regional analyst Jalel Harchaoui posted on social media that Egyptian MiG-29 jets were “carrying out destructive air strikes against RSF convoys moving from Haftar-held Libya into Sudan.”

Useful thread to put in context of Cairo’s newfound assertiveness which, since mid-Nov., has come in the form of Egyptian MiG-29 jets carrying out destructive air strikes against RSF convoys moving from Haftar-held Libya into Sudan.

Haftar units in the greater Kufrah area are… https://t.co/e94X6VQQKP

— Jalel Harchaoui جلال حرشاوي (@JMJalel_H) December 13, 2025