Türkiye

New in second pass: Turkey-reported customs data on arms-chapter and unmanned-aircraft exports to Sudan; reports of Turkish (and Iranian) technical teams at the SAF airbase near Port Sudan; unverified reports of Turkish cargo flights to East Oweinat (Egypt) in July 2026 and of Turkish trainers.

Why this grade

A for the trade statistics as declared; C for technical teams at Port Sudan; D for East Oweinat cargo flights and for Turkish trainers

Response

First pass: Turkish embassy denied military support to the parties. No Turkish, Egyptian or Sudanese confirmation of the July 2026 flights (The Standard).

Sanctions

None on the Turkish state.

SUNA, 17 Aug 2026: Türkiye's Defence Minister received Sudan's Chief of Staff Gen. Yasir al-Atta (the wording implies a visit to Türkiye; place not stated). No detail given.

Fact-check

None.

Source

official SAF-side (SUNA, state news agency of the Port Sudan/Khartoum government)

On 26 Aug 2026 Burhan awarded outgoing Turkish ambassador Fatih Yildiz the Order of the Two Niles (first class). SUNA on 25 Jan 2026 quoted the ambassador: 'Sudan will win its battle and Türkiye will continue to support it politically and humanitarianly'.

Fact-check

None.

Source

official SAF-side (Transitional Sovereignty Council media office channel; presents as official, signed 'إعلام مجلس السيادة الانتقالي', active since 2020; not cross-verified from a government website)

The Turkish embassy page records: the opening of a Ziraat Katilim branch in Port Sudan (30 Jul 2025: 'we welcome all Sudanese citizens, especially Sudanese businessmen'); Turkish Airlines' Port Sudan - Istanbul route, first flight 5 Aug 2025; a visit to the Karadeniz Holding power ship moored off Port Sudan, 'which produces 80 megawatts' and 'has an important share in Port Sudan's electricity supply' (25 Sep 2024); the 'sister port' relationship between Mersin and Port Sudan (23 Dec 2025); and the ambassador's September 2024 round of calls on the minerals minister, the civil aviation chief and the port director.

Why this grade

Grade A is for the fact that the page announced this. The page was identified as official by its name and content; no verification badge was detected.

Response

This is the Turkish embassy's own account.

The armed forces' page posted on 20 Aug 2026 footage of 'the official reception of Chief of Staff Gen. Yasir al-Atta in Türkiye by the Turkish army chief of staff', 'to hold military talks'. DIS's page reported that Burhan's delegation to Ankara on 25 Dec 2025 consisted of the DIS director-general, the foreign ministry under-secretary and the General Intelligence Service director. The prime minister's office reported the May 2026 Ankara visit, where the Turkish side cited support delivered 'through Turkish institutions working in Sudan, including the embassy in Port Sudan, TIKA, Ziraat Bank and Turkish Airlines'.

Why this grade

Grade A is for the fact that the page announced this. The page was identified as official by its name and content; no verification badge was detected.

Response

Turkish defence ministry statement not looked up.

23 Dec 2025: MoU twinning Port Sudan and Mersin ports (training, technology transfer), signed with the Red Sea State governor and Sea Ports Corporation. 15 Jul 2026: Sea Ports Corporation MoU with Turkish company Argaz to build a gas berth at Suakin. Ordinary commerce; value not disclosed.

Response

No response located in the sources reviewed.

Sanctions

None found in OFAC SDN / EU / UK lists checked 2026-10-03

Country of manufacture and export licensing for Baykar TB2 and Akinci drones in SAF service; Turkish Air Force cargo aircraft tracked to Port Sudan (Apr 2025) and to the Egyptian base at East Oweinat (Dec 2025-Jan 2026); offered to mediate between Sudan and the UAE (Dec 2024).

Response

Turkish Embassy in Washington to WaPo: 'Turkey has, from the outset of the conflict, refrained from providing any military support to the parties.' Turkish Defence Ministry to NYT (as summarised by The Standard): no Turkish Armed Forces activity in Sudan; Baykar drones exported in accordance with international law; no direct support. RSF adviser Mohamed Almokhtar said the Turkish foreign ministry told the RSF the TB2s 'did not come from Turkey'. Reuters: a Turkish Defence Ministry source said Turkey and Egypt agreed an Akinci sale in 2024; a Western diplomat said Turkish officials privately defended Egyptian strikes on the RSF as legitimate and confirmed drones were recently delivered for the war effort. SSB and Baykar did not respond to Reuters.

Sanctions

None on Turkish state. WaPo: Baykar shipments "appear to be in violation" of US and EU sanctions on DIS.

Military cargo flights tracked from Turkish drone hubs to Port Sudan (Apr 2025) and to East Oweinat, Egypt (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026).

Response

Turkish Defence Ministry denies Turkish Armed Forces activity in Sudan (to NYT). Reuters could not determine what was on the flights.

Sanctions

None.

22 May 2026, Ankara: minutes signed committing to projects in agriculture, energy and mining; Sudan's agriculture minister thanked Turkiye for 'support for Sudan throughout the war period'. No companies named. Ziraat Katilim is on the Central Bank of Sudan's licensed-bank list. Baykar contract: see first pass.

Why this grade

B (meeting); A (bank licence)