RSF forces storm Musa Hilal’s stronghold in North Darfur
February 23, 2026 (MUSTARIHA) – On Monday, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed the town of Mustariha, the headquarters of Mahameed tribal leader Musa Hilal in North Darfur State.
Hilal, who recently allied himself with the Sudanese army, has frequently issued statements vowing to confront the RSF leadership in the region.
Sources told Sudan Tribune that Musa Hilal left the Mustariha area following a drone strike launched by the RSF on Sunday evening.
The paramilitary forces began their assault on the Mustariha settlement on Monday morning from multiple directions using combat vehicles and infantry. By midday, they had stormed the town and set fire to several houses.
The same sources added that the RSF captured one of Hilal’s sons during the operation. On Sunday, the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC) revealed that Hilal had survived an assassination attempt by an RSF drone which targeted a guest house in Mustariha.
Sources further informed Sudan Tribune that the previous day’s shelling killed several RAC leaders and injured one of Hilal’s sons among others when the strike hit the location during a Ramadan Iftar.
RSF elements who entered Mustariha and Hilal’s residence broadcast videos showing their control over the area, which had remained outside of RSF authority since the conflict broke out in mid-April 2023.
These documented attacks by the RSF come hours after a spokesperson for the “Tasis” Sudan Founding Coalition, headed by the RSF commander, denied responsibility for the drone strikes on Hilal’s headquarters, instead accusing the army of conducting the attack.
Relations between the RSF and Hilal have been volatile since he declared his support for the Sudanese army months ago. Tensions spiked further after Hilal was accused of involvement in the killing of RSF advisor Hamid Ali Abu Bakr earlier this year.
The RSF recently sponsored a tribal gathering to appoint new leadership for the Mahameed, a move that triggered defections among RSF fighters who moved to Mustariha to support their traditional leader.