Thursday, August 6, 2026

Report Alleges UAE Received $100 Million Worth of Gold Smuggled from Sudan During Civil War

August 06, 2026 0 Abu Ramadan

Houthi Attacks Kill At Least 30 Yemeni Government Soldiers At least 30 Yemeni government soldiers were killed on Thursday after coordinated attacks targeted military camps in the provinces of Marib and Hadramout, according to government officials. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement later claimed responsibility for the assault, saying it launched ballistic missile and drone strikes against what it described as Saudi military positions and Saudi-backed forces in the Al Ruwayk, Al Abr, and Al Thaniyah areas. The Houthis claimed the operation destroyed military camps, weapons depots, and vehicles, and caused heavy casualties among Saudi-aligned fighters. However, these claims could not be independently verified. In response to the attacks, Yemen's Health Minister directed hospitals and medical facilities in Marib and Hadramout to increase emergency preparedness to treat wounded soldiers. He condemned the strikes, describing them as attacks on military positions in the affected areas. The U.S. Mission to Yemen also expressed condolences to the families of the slain soldiers, calling the attacks another example of what it described as Houthi terrorism against the Yemeni people. The latest violence comes amid rising regional tensions. Since last month, the Houthis have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, accusing Riyadh of maintaining a siege on Yemen—an allegation Saudi Arabia denies. Yemen's conflict began after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention in support of the internationally recognized government in 2015. The prolonged war has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

A report highlighted by journalist Martin Plaut, citing an investigation by the Financial Times, alleges that at least 1.5 tonnes of gold bullion worth approximately $100 million was taken from Sudan during the early days of the country's civil war in April 2023 and later transported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the report, the gold was allegedly seized after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured Sudan's state-owned gold refinery in Khartoum and raided the country's central bank, along with jewellery from commercial bank safe-deposit boxes.

Witnesses cited in the investigation claim the gold was moved across Sudan's borders, including into Chad and South Sudan, before being flown from Juba International Airport to the UAE on cargo aircraft.

The RSF has denied any involvement in the alleged theft, and some details of the operation remain disputed.

The Financial Times report argues that the episode reflects the UAE's growing economic and political influence across Africa, describing the Gulf nation as an increasingly important offshore financial hub for the continent.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and no official response from the UAE was included in the excerpt shared by Martin Plaut.