Sources within the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reported on Thursday the capture of more than 10 South Sudanese nationals who they state were fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The detentions reportedly occurred in the towns of Kazqil and al-Rayash in North Kordofan State during clashes between the two military factions.
According to the SAF sources who spoke to media outlets, the government of Sudan intends to formally contact the government of South Sudan regarding the matter. They stated that evidence of the individuals’ participation in the conflict on behalf of the RSF would be provided.
In a separate development, an RSF security adviser confirmed the death of Hamid Ali Abubakar, a senior commander within the group. Al-Basha Tabiq, also an RSF security adviser, announced in a social media post on Thursday evening that Abubakar and several of his aides were killed in a drone strike carried out by the SAF near Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur state.
Abubakar was also the leader of the RSF’s “al-Saif al-Battar” military unit, which operates primarily in the Darfur region. In his statement, Tabiq accused the SAF of the “assassination” of Abubakar and said the army would “pay a heavy price.”
The reports come amid continued fighting in Sudan’s Kordofan and Darfur regions, which has led to significant civilian displacement. The North Darfur Emergency Chambers Council issued a statement on the humanitarian conditions in the Umbro locality of North Darfur State, describing the situation as a “worsening humanitarian disaster.” The council reported that ongoing clashes have resulted in the displacement of over 6,500 families from the area.
The conflict between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, began in April 2023. The fighting erupted from disagreements over a plan to integrate the RSF into the national military.
Since the war began, the RSF has established control over the five states of the Darfur region and parts of the capital, Khartoum. The SAF maintains control over most of the country’s northern, eastern, and southern states. International organizations report that the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, creating a severe humanitarian crisis across the country and in neighboring nations.
