Family confirms Musa Hilal reached Sudanese army-held territory

February 26, 2026 (KABKABIYA) — The son of Mahameed tribal leader Musa Hilal confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Thursday that his father had reached Sudanese army-controlled territory after his stronghold in North Darfur was overrun by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) earlier this week.

Fathi Hilal said his father and an accompanying delegation arrived at a safe location and were in good health. He declined to provide further details on the operation that saw them exit the town of Mistariha.

The move follows an announcement on Wednesday by Ahmed Abkar, spokesperson for the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC), who said the group’s leader had reached a secure area under army control outside the Darfur region.

Multiple sources later confirmed the delegation had arrived in Al Dabba, in Sudan’s Northern State.

Hilal’s departure from Mistariha, the historical base of the Mahameed clan, came shortly after the area was hit by aerial bombardment. A subsequent ground assault by the RSF ended with the paramilitary group seizing the town.

Sources told Sudan Tribune that Hilal, who recently declared his support for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the ongoing civil war, was evacuated hours before the RSF moved in. The operation was reportedly coordinated by the army using drones and supported by RAC fighters.

The fall of Mistariha marks a significant shift in North Darfur, where Hilal has long been a powerful and controversial figure.

A former ally of ousted president Omer al-Bashir, Hilal’s recent alignment with the army had placed him in direct opposition to the RSF, which is led by his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.