Ethiopia is hosting a secret camp to train thousands of fighters for the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group in neighbouring Sudan, Reuters reporting has found, in the latest sign that one of the world’s deadliest conflicts is sucking in regional powers from Africa and the Middle East.

The camp constitutes the first direct evidence of Ethiopia’s involvement in Sudan’s civil war, marking a potentially dangerous development that provides the RSF a substantial supply of fresh soldiers as fighting escalates in Sudan’s south.

Eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, said the United Arab Emirates financed the camp’s construction and provided military trainers and logistical support to the site, a view also shared in an internal note by Ethiopia’s security services and in a diplomatic cable, reviewed by Reuters.

The news agency could not independently verify UAE involvement in the project or the purpose of the camp. In response to a request for comment, the UAE foreign ministry said it was not a party to the conflict or “in any way” involved in the hostilities.

Sudan’s civil war erupted in 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF ahead of a planned transition to civilian rule.

It has spread famine and been marked by racially-charged atrocities. Millions of refugees have fled to Egypt, Chad, Libya and South Sudan.

The news agency spoke to 15 sources familiar with the camp’s construction and operations, including Ethiopian officials and diplomats, and analysed satellite imagery of the area.

Two Ethiopian intelligence officials and the satellite images provided information that corroborated details contained in the security memo and cable.

Activity picked up in October at the camp, which is located in the remote western region of Benishangul-Gumuz, near the border with Sudan, satellite images show.

As of early January, 4,300 RSF fighters were undergoing military training at the site and “their logistical and military supplies are being provided by the UAE,” the note by Ethiopia’s security services seen by Reuters read.

The camp’s recruits are mainly Ethiopians, but citizens from South Sudan and Sudan are also present, six officials said.

The six officials said the recruits are expected to join the RSF battling Sudanese soldiers in Blue Nile.

Two of the officials said hundreds had already crossed in recent weeks to support the paramilitaries.

The internal security note said General Getachew Gudina, the Chief of the Defence Intelligence Department of the Ethiopian National Defence Force, was responsible for setting up the camp.

A senior Ethiopian government official, as well as four diplomatic and security sources, confirmed Getachew’s role in launching the project.

The camp was carved out of forested land in a district called Menge, about 20 miles (32 km) from the border, according to satellite imagery and the diplomatic cable.

The diplomatic cable described the camp as having a capacity of up to 10,000 fighters, saying activity began in October with the arrival of dozens of Land Cruisers, heavy trucks, RSF units and UAE trainers.

Satellite imagery shows tents filling the area from early November and ongoing construction.