Senior RSF officer and tribal leader killed in East Darfur internal clashes

February 2, 2026 (ED DAEIN) – A high-ranking officer in the Rapid Support Forces and a loyalist tribal leader were killed alongside several soldiers in East Darfur state following violent internal clashes between rival factions of the paramilitary group, according to an internal report.

The fighting broke out on Sunday evening in the town of Khazan Jadid. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) currently control the entirety of East Darfur state, where they face frequent accusations of extrajudicial killings, looting, and arbitrary arrests of civilians suspected of collaborating with the Sudanese army.

An internal security report from the local pro-RSF police director, seen by Sudan Tribune, said the violence involved forces loyal to the region’s second-in-command, Abdullah Abul Qasim, and a unit under the command of a local tribal leader, Shartay Mohamed Jaafar.

The report stated that five people were killed, including the area commander and Jaafar. Three others were wounded, though the death toll is expected to rise after the confrontation moved to Jaafar’s residence, which was set on fire during the fighting.

The dispute reportedly began after Jaafar arrested several relatives of the slain officer on charges of cooperating with the Sudanese army. The detainees were allegedly beaten at a local detention centre before the tribal leader attempted to transfer them to the Daqris prison in Nyala.

Local mediation efforts to secure the release of the prisoners failed, leading to an armed escalation between the detainees’ relatives and Jaafar’s forces.

The RSF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.