Army chief Burhan, Musa Hilal vow to fight until RSF defeated

March 8, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan met with tribal leader Musa Hilal on Sunday, with both men pledging to continue military operations until the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are defeated.

The meeting was the first between the two since Hilal survived an RSF drone strike on Feb. 22 that targeted his guesthouse in Mistariha, North Darfur. Following the assassination attempt, RSF troops seized the town, forcing Hilal to withdraw toward northern Sudan.

A statement from the Transitional Sovereignty Council said the meeting, which included Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minawi, addressed the situation in North Darfur and alleged violations committed by the RSF against civilians in Mistariha.

Burhan praised public support for the armed forces and stated that military operations would continue until the rebellion is crushed and stability is restored across the country.

Hilal, the powerful head of the Revolutionary Awakening Council and a prominent leader within the Rizeigat tribe in Darfur, has seen increasingly tense relations with the RSF since declaring his support for the Sudanese army several months ago.