Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details behind the Attack on Arms Smugglers in Sudan

London, Washington, Asharq Al-Awsat- At a time of continued uncertainty surrounding the details of the attacks which targeted an arms-smuggled operation – described as Iranian – to the Palestinian Hamas movement via Sudan, credible sources have revealed new information to Asharq Al-Awsat regarding this attack. The sources revealed that the Sudanese government received a warning from the US prior to the attack; the warning stated that a third-party was monitoring the operation which aimed at smuggling weapons from Sudan to the Gaza Strip through the Sinai Desert, and warned the Sudanese authorities to cease any such operations. One source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that an American official had telephoned a Sudanese official and delivered a warning, stressing the importance of this warning reaching the highest authorities in Khartoum, and stressing that any [arms smuggling] operation cease immediately. According to Asharq Al-Awsat sources, the [smuggled] arms were flown from Khartoum to Port Sudan, where they were transferred onto 4 boats which would smuggle them via sea, while the rest where placed upon the 17 vehicle convoy which would travel by land. The "unknown" aircrafts, which were later described as being Israeli, attacked the boats sinking them; while the convoy of vehicles was attacked by laser-guided missiles destroying them completely. Dozens of people were killed in the attacks. There is still uncertainly regarding the actual death toll of the attacks, with some estimating the death toll at around 39, while others indicating that the number is much larger than this. A Sudanese official last week claimed that the true figure lay at more than 100 dead, although Asharq Al-Awsat sources ruled out the death-toll being more than 100.