Newly discovered videos and images have revealed Canadian-manufactured sniper rifles being used by Sudanese paramilitary fighters and a Libyan militia, and openly promoted by Yemeni arms traders online, as detailed in a CBC News visual investigation. Sudan and Libya are subject to Canadian arms embargoes, while Yemen is facing targeted sanctions due to the presence of groups involved in severe human rights violations, torture, and mass atrocities.
Kelsey Gallagher from Project Ploughshares, a Canadian peace research institute, expressed concerns over the illicit diversion of Canadian weapons systems in violation of UN arms embargoes. Gallagher emphasized the need for action from the Canadian government to address this issue.
In a previous report by CBC News, XLCR precision rifles produced by Sterling Cross, a small-arms manufacturer from Abbotsford, B.C., were identified in Sudan in use by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Following these findings, the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) were informed of the latest discoveries by CBC News.
Minister Anand conveyed her serious concerns regarding the destination of Canadian weapons, stating that it is unacceptable for the permitting process to allow such materials to reach conflict zones. Anand suggested that there might be violations in the permitting process that require enforcement, potentially involving the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
According to GAC, Canada upholds an embargo on arms exports to Sudan with no exceptions granted in its risk assessment process. Disturbing footage from Sudan depicted a young RSF fighter mistreating detainees, underscoring the misuse of Canadian-made weapons in conflict zones.
In Yemen, CBC News traced videos to a store in Sanaa operated as an illicit arms market, run by arms dealers who openly advertise their inventory on social media platforms. The videos revealed the presence of Sterling Cross rifles, with dealers acknowledging the smuggling of these weapons into the country.
Further investigations linked images from Libya to the Judicial Security Apparatus, a branch associated with the Special Deterrence Force, which has been involved in conflicts and controls the notorious Mitiga prison known for human rights abuses. The involvement of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a key player in rerouting weapons to various military groups in the region was highlighted by experts.
Despite reports suggesting UAE involvement in Sudan, Libya, and Yemen, the UAE Embassy did not respond to CBC’s request for comments. The UAE has previously denied any connection to these countries and claimed a withdrawal of forces from Yemen. Government records show Canadian arms exports to the UAE, raising concerns about the proliferation of weapons without stringent controls.
The revelations of Canadian weapons surfacing in conflict zones underscore the importance of maintaining strict oversight to prevent their illicit distribution, as emphasized by Gallagher from Project Ploughshares.