Sudan’s RSF accused of abuses as it advances on Sennar city

July 26, 2024 (SUKI) – Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized six villages southeast of Sennar city, activists said on Friday, amid reports of widespread abuses against civilians and mass displacement.

The RSF announced on Thursday it had taken control of the Al-Suki area, tightening its grip on the city of Sennar, the capital of Sennar state.

“The RSF are spreading in the villages southeast of Sennar like cancer, engaging in their favoured hobby of violations, looting, and abuse of unarmed citizens,” said the Sennar Youth Gathering in a statement.

The group listed the villages of Al-Trirat Al-Kufa, Ibrahim Janqoh, Ku’ Al-Nahl, Trira Madani, Al-Khalij, and Qaladima as being overrun by the RSF, with looting forcing residents to flee.

The RSF seized most of Sennar state in late June, including the strategic Jabal Moya area and the state capital Singa. This allowed the paramilitary group to advance on several localities, leaving the army with control only over Sennar city.

Heavy fighting is expected in Sennar in the coming days, with the RSF mobilizing fighters on four fronts: Jabal Moya from the west, Al-Nuraniya from the south, Al-Suki from the east, and the sugar factory from the north.