RSF attack kills newly formed joint force troops in North Darfur
January 16, 2025 (KABKABIYA) – A newly formed joint force in Sudan’s North Darfur region suffered heavy casualties in a violent attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) near the town of Kabkabiya on Thursday, according to military sources.
The joint force, established on January 13th, was created by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) faction led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur and the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces led by Al-Tahir Hajar. Its stated aim is to protect civilians and deliver humanitarian aid in areas under their control in the Darfur region, following extensive military consultations between the two groups.
Both Hajar’s faction and the SLM under al-Nur have maintained a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF.
Military sources told Reuters that a large contingent from the two movements, escorting a convoy of displaced people from the Zamzam camp in Al-Fashir to Al-Tina, came under heavy attack east of Kabkabiya.
The sources indicated that the RSF killed a significant number of troops from both movements and captured others, in addition to destroying a number of military vehicles.
RSF members circulated videos showing several military vehicles on fire and captured soldiers being subjected to apparent torture.
In a statement released late on Thursday, the RSF acknowledged that its forces were responsible for the attack. The paramilitary group called for the formation of a joint committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The leadership of the two movements involved in the joint force has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.
The SLM, which is not a signatory to the Juba Peace Agreement, has taken advantage of the security vacuum created by the ongoing conflict to expand its control over large areas in North, South, and Central Darfur states.
In March last year, a military convoy belonging to Abdel Wahid al-Nur’s forces was attacked by the RSF, resulting in deaths and injuries. The RSF later apologized for the attack, claiming it was a mistake.