UAE accuses Sudanese army of attacking its ambassador's residence in Khartoum

The Sudanese army on Monday rejected an accusation by the United Arab Emirates that its forces had bombed the residence of the UAE ambassador in Khartoum, blaming instead the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UAE earlier on Monday said the residence of its ambassador in Khartoum had been attacked by a Sudanese military aircraft, condemning it as a "heinous attack".

These "shameful and cowardly acts" are being carried out by the paramilitary RSF,  the Sudanese army said in a statement.

The army has repeatedly accused the UAE of providing weapons and support to the RSF in Sudan's 17-month-old war. The Gulf state denies the allegations. UN sanctions monitors have described as credible accusations that the UAE had provided military support to the RSF.

War erupted in April last year between the Sudanese army and the RSF over a transition to free elections. The UN says nearly 25 million people - half Sudan's population - need aid, famine is looming and some eight million people have fled their homes.

"The Ministry stressed the importance of protecting diplomatic buildings and embassy staff residences, in accordance with the treaties and customs that regulate diplomatic relations," the UAE statement added.