RSF claims victory in Al-Dinder, second capture in days
RSF commander Abdel Rahman Albishi speaks outside the building of Al-Dinder locality on June 5, 2024
July 5, 2024 (AL-DINDER) – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Friday that they have regained control of Al-Dinder, Sennar state, for the second time in less than a week, after fierce clashes against the Sudanese army and allied armed movements.
Both the army and its allies from the armed movements announced on July 4 their control over Al-Dinder, west of Singa, the capital of Sennar state, days after the Rapid Support Forces took control of it on Tuesday, July 2.
According to an RSF statement, the paramilitary forces “achieved a sweeping victory on Friday over the Burhan militia, the terrorist Islamic Movement battalions, and the joint forces, and took full control of the strategic Al-Dinder area.”
The statement said that they inflicted heavy losses in equipment and lives on what it described as the “enemy”.
The RSF asserted they seized nine vehicles with their full military equipment in Al-Dinder and destroyed seven other vehicles. They also seized various weapons and ammunition and killed more than 170 enemy forces, according to its statement.
The RSF statement reported the capture of the commander of the army’s mobile unit, as well as the commander of the joint force of the armed groups fighting with the army.
The RSF broadcast video clips that it said were of its forces on the Al-Dinder bridge leading to a dirt road linking the states of Sennar and Gedaref, where huge forces from the army and armed struggle movements are stationed.
The joint force, consisting of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Arko Minawi, the Justice and Equality Movement led by Gibril Ibrahim, in addition to a faction of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces, is heavily concentrated in the city of Al-Faw in Gedaref state.
During the short first period from July 2 to 4, the RSF fighters committed widespread human rights violations, including looting money, agricultural crops, gold jewellery, mobile phones, and cars. The looting included some villages outside the town.
Located on the border between the states of Sennar and Gedaref in eastern Sudan, Al-Dinder is about 25 kilometres east of Singa, the capital of Sennar state. It is considered a strategic location linking the areas of Sennar and the Blue Nile with the region of eastern Sudan.