Sudan and Saudi Arabia Reaffirm Strategic Ties in Phone Call Between Al-Burhan and MBS

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, held a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral relations and regional security. During the conversation, General al-Burhan strongly condemned the attacks launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Sudan's support for Riyadh's border defense measures. In turn, Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated Saudi Arabia's firm commitment to Sudan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and efforts to restore peace and stability. The dialogue highlights a careful diplomatic balancing act by the Sudanese military, which recently restored ties with Iran for drone support while maintaining its strategic alliance with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia continues to host peace talks in Jeddah alongside the US, supporting Sudan's state institutions and rejecting foreign interference that aims to bypass the military leadership. The phone call comes against the backdrop of the devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, which has displaced over 10 million people.