Sudanese army ally accuses RSF of killing 19 civilians

A joint military force aligned with the Sudanese national army reported that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a significant ground assault on the Jarjira area in North Darfur on Sunday. In an official statement, the force claimed that Sudanese army units, supported by their troops and local vigilante groups, successfully repelled the attack, preventing an RSF advance. They stated that the defending forces inflicted substantial casualties on the RSF and captured several of its fighters during the engagement.

Civilian Casualties Reported in Aftermath

The pro-army force's statement included grave allegations against the retreating RSF elements, accusing them of committing "criminal acts against civilians." These acts reportedly involved killings and abductions, leading to the deaths of nineteen non-combatants. Separately, the Justice and Equality Movement, a key faction within the joint force, announced that six of its own combatants were killed in the Jarjira fighting. There has been no immediate public response or comment from the RSF regarding these specific allegations. However, the RSF had previously claimed control of the Jarjira area in social media posts on Saturday.

Broader Context of Sudan's Civil Conflict

This violent incident is part of the wider and devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which erupted in April 2023. The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people across Sudan. Currently, the RSF is reported to control all five states of the Darfur region in western Sudan, except for some northern parts of North Darfur held by the army. The national army maintains control over most other regions, including the capital, Khartoum. This ongoing struggle for territorial dominance continues to drive severe humanitarian crises and destabilize the region.