RSF suffers major setback in Khartoum, North Darfur clashes rage near Libyan border
June 17, 2024 (KHARTOUM, AL-FASHER) – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced a decisive victory over a significant Rapid Support Forces (RSF) contingent attempting to seize the strategic Armoured Corps base south of Khartoum. Concurrently, intense fighting persisted between the joint force of armed movements and the RSF in North Darfur.
Since August 2023, the RSF has repeatedly failed in its efforts to capture the Armoured Corps, a critical asset for the Sudanese military. Their most recent attempt resulted in a strike by the SAF, routing the RSF and inflicting heavy casualties.
In a succinct statement, the army declared, “In a pre-emptive attack, Armoured Corps forces decisively defeated hordes of terrorist mercenaries belonging to the Rapid Support Militia owned by the Daglo family, who were under intelligence surveillance.”
According to the statement, the army destroyed an RSF armoured vehicle and neutralized dozens of fighters in an operation to clear residential areas and civilian buildings. “The army is currently pursuing the remaining fleeing mercenaries,” added the army spokesman.
Meanwhile, in the southern belt area of Khartoum, hostilities resumed after a two-month lull. Eyewitnesses reported drones and heavy artillery pounding RSF camps in the Sports City and surrounding areas, with explosions and smoke indicating significant damage.
These clashes underscore the ongoing conflict in Sudan, highlighting the RSF’s persistent attempts to gain control of key military assets and the SAF’s determination to defend them. The situation in Darfur further complicates the conflict, as armed movements join the fight against the RSF. The humanitarian impact of this protracted conflict remains a grave concern.
North Darfur desert sees escalation of violence
In North Darfur’s vast desert region, fierce clashes have escalated between the RSF and Darfur armed groups allied with the Sudanese army, focusing particularly on the strategic RSF base of Al-Zurq, a vital supply hub for the paramilitary group from neighbouring Libya.
A joint force official reported inflicting a significant defeat on the RSF in the Wadi Ambar area, claiming to be in pursuit of retreating RSF elements accused of burning villages near Al-Zurq.
RSF-affiliated sources, however, countered these claims, stating that their forces destroyed a joint force mobile unit in Wadi Ambar, seizing vehicles and capturing soldiers.
The ongoing violence near Al-Zurq, a town bordering Libya and Chad, is an extension of the fighting that has plagued El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, for over a month.
El Fasher has become a battleground between the army, supported by allied movements, and the RSF since May 10th. The conflict has caused widespread death, destruction, and displacement, with an estimated 800,000 displaced people seeking refuge in the city.
International pressure is mounting to end the violence in El Fasher, a historic capital and haven for displaced individuals from across four Darfur states, under complete RSF control.