The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reportedly taken control of Nyala, Sudan’s second largest city, from the army after months of intense fighting. Multiple sources have confirmed this information to us. The capture of Nyala by the RSF marks a major advance for the group, originating in Darfur, which has been accused of committing atrocities against non-Arabic groups during the ongoing conflict.
Residents of Nyala are said to be celebrating the takeover, as they hope it will bring an end to the violence that has plagued the city. However, the fighting has already forced over 670,000 people to flee their homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The city’s hospitals have been destroyed, and distressing reports suggest that bodies are lining the streets.
Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, holds strategic importance as it connects Sudan with the Central African Republic (CAR). The RSF’s control over this city could potentially impact the dynamics of the conflict in the region.
The timing of this seizure is noteworthy, as the two warring factions were scheduled to resume peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The army, which has suffered a defeat in Nyala, has not yet commented on the situation.
Eyewitnesses have reported disturbing incidents of looting and the storming of civilian houses by RSF fighters since the capture of the city. Additionally, there are reports that the RSF arrested Sudanese staff members of the medical organization EMERGENCY, who were providing treatment to victims of war at a pediatric center in Nyala.
It is worth mentioning that high-ranking army generals, including the head of the military in Nyala, were killed in battle a few weeks ago, further weakening the army’s position.
Abdulrahim Daglo, the RSF’s second-in-command, who was previously sanctioned by the US for his alleged involvement in ethnic cleansing in West Darfur, led the operation to capture Nyala.
In June, the RSF had already seized Um-Dafog, a small town on the border with CAR, which is believed to be a crucial area for their supply chain. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has faced accusations of supplying weapons to the RSF through CAR and Chad’s Um-Dafog, although it has denied these allegations.