August 31, 2026 (KHARTOUM) — Around 200 fighters from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have defected to join the Sudanese army, state media reported on Monday.

The group, led by the RSF intelligence chief in North Kordofan state, Abubakr Hamouda Dahloub, arrived in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city across the Nile.

They were received by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) units and fighters from the Revolutionary Awakening Council (RAC), a faction led by tribal leader Musa Hilal.

The defection follows similar recent desertions reported by the army, including two separate groups that surrendered over the past three weeks in Northern State.

The defecting fighters arrived with their weapons and military vehicles, saying they were ready to participate in combat operations alongside the army, the allied Joint Forces, and auxiliary groups.

Speaking to the state-run Sudan News Agency (SUNA), Dahloub said the group had decided to break with the RSF leadership and align with the military.

Dahloub praised other former RSF commanders who recently switched sides, including Al-Nur Guba, Al-Savanna, and Musa Khamsin, saying his forces would fight to defeat the paramilitary group.

He also acknowledged logistical coordination that helped his group reach the capital, citing commanders from the army, the General Intelligence Service (GIS), the Joint Forces, and the RAC.

Dahloub urged remaining RSF commanders to abandon the paramilitary force and join the army. The RSF did not immediately comment on the reported defection.