Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has confirmed that his forces have lost control of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira state, to General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and allied Islamist militias.
In an audio message broadcast on Telegram on Saturday, Dagalo described the setback as temporary and vowed to continue the fight. “Today we lost a round, but we did not lose the battle,” he declared to his supporters and fighters. He assured them that the RSF would “regain all” of Gezira’s capital, a crucial logistical hub close to Khartoum. “We have fought for 21 months and are prepared to fight for 21 years. The balance of power will change,” he added.
Allegations of Foreign Involvement
Dagalo accused the SAF of seeking foreign assistance to secure its recent gains, alleging the use of Iranian drones, Egyptian airstrikes with U.S.-made bombs, and fighters from Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
He further claimed that the army had enlisted mercenaries from Eritrea, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine. “These forces have been brought in to crush the RSF and impose their dominance,” Dagalo said, calling on the international community to scrutinize the SAF’s foreign alliances.
Though Dagalo’s accusations add new complexity to the ongoing conflict, Tigrayan forces have not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Escalation of Tactics
Dagalo also noted the increasing challenges posed by SAF airstrikes and chemical barrel bombs. He claimed that the RSF had adapted to aerial assaults over the past 21 months.
Additionally, he alleged that forces aligned with the SAF, including the Islamic Movement, were meeting in Omdurman to strategize new offensives. Meanwhile, the SAF continues its military operations in Darfur, Khartoum, and Al-Jazirah, ramping up airstrikes on RSF-controlled areas.
Strategic and Humanitarian Implications
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced over 12 million people, with the UN calling it the world’s largest displacement crisis. Initially, many sought refuge in Al-Jazirah, but an RSF offensive in December 2023 displaced an additional 300,000 individuals. Humanitarian organizations warn of worsening access to aid as the SAF strengthens its control over the region.
Dagalo acknowledged that the RSF is holding thousands of prisoners but pledged they would face trials, referencing a disturbing video that went viral, showing SAF soldiers executing an alleged RSF collaborator. The SAF confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway.
As both sides brace for renewed confrontations, the conflict continues to draw regional powers into the fray, raising concerns about further destabilization across the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.