Sudanese army, RSF clash in El Daein, East Darfur
November 20, 2023 (EL-DAEIN) – For the first time since the start of hostilities last April, clashes have broken out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Daein, the capital of East Darfur State.
The violence erupted on Monday, ending a period of peace in the capital of the Reizagat tribe. Tribal leaders had been instrumental in maintaining calm in the region, but their calls for peace were not heeded this time as the RSF commander launched an attack on the army garrison, sparking a war in the town.
In the days leading up to the clashes, the RSF had been deploying substantial military reinforcements to El Daein from South Darfur.
A member of the mediation committee between the army and the RSF, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Sudan Tribune that “despite the great efforts exerted by local leaders, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and youth figures, violent clashes took place near the vicinity of the 20th Infantry Division Command, located 7 miles south of the city of El Daein.”
After hours of fighting, a cautious calm has returned to the city’s streets, but many civilians residing near the army headquarters continue to flee.
Social media platforms affiliated with the RSF have published video clips of soldiers inside Al Daein Airport, announcing their control of the facility and pledging to march towards the army command.
Eyewitnesses have also reported seeing large numbers of armed militias supporting the RSF deployed on motorcycles in the streets of the city.
Saeed Madibo, the representative of the paramount chief of the Rizeigat tribe, has addressed a crowd of civilians inside the large market of El-Daein, pledging to protect the market and prevent any armed group from entering it.
The RSF has recently expanded its presence in the Darfur region, gaining complete control of three states: South, West, and Central Darfur. The group is now seeking to control El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, and El-Daein.
Fears of a civil war in the Darfur region are growing after two of the most significant armed movements signed the Juba Peace Agreement, namely the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Arko Minawi and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Gibril Ibrahim, announced their support for the army in its fight against the RSF.
The outbreak of violence in El-Daein is a major setback for peace efforts in Darfur and raises the spectre of a wider conflict in the region.
(ST)