RSF seizes El Fula, capital of West Kordofan, amidst reports of looting and displacement
June 20, 2024 (EL-FULA) – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Thursday that they had taken control of El Fula, the capital of West Kordofan State, after the Sudanese army withdrew from its defensive positions and headquarters. The RSF promptly appointed a governor from its ranks to oversee the state, while a significant number of residents fled to neighbouring areas.
On Wednesday, the RSF deployed substantial military reinforcements to the outskirts of El Fula before launching an attack on the army’s defensive positions Thursday morning, forcing a retreat. In an evening statement, the RSF confirmed the capture of El Fula, asserting that the move was necessary to counter the “increasing activity of the remnants of the defunct regime.”
The statement detailed the seizure of the 91st Infantry Brigade in El Fula, claiming heavy enemy casualties and the capture of various military vehicles, weapons, and ammunition. A military source corroborated the army’s withdrawal to Sudan Tribune, citing the “intensification of fire and the large force” of the RSF assault.
Following their takeover, the RSF established control over key locations, including the military garrison and the state government building, where Colonel Al-Taj Al-Tijani was installed as the new governor of West Kordofan.
However, reports from citizens to Sudan Tribune allege that the RSF engaged in looting in several neighbourhoods, including Al-Salam, Al-Wahda, and Al-Daraja, prompting residents to flee towards the city centre or to neighbouring localities like Al-Odaiya and Al-Nuhud. A volunteer from the El Fula Emergency Room estimated that over 60% of the city’s population had fled shortly after the RSF’s arrival.
El Fula had previously taken in displaced individuals from the city of Babanusa, which houses the headquarters of the 22nd Infantry Division. The city was sheltering approximately 1,618 displaced people, including 324 children and 714 women, across 26 shelters.
Since January, the RSF has been engaged in a large-scale military operation aimed at capturing the 22nd Infantry Division headquarters in Babanusa, leading to fierce battles with the Sudanese army. Despite these efforts, the armed forces have successfully maintained control over their leadership.