Sudan’s RSF seizes another state capital city in Darfur

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stated on Saturday that they had taken control of the Sudanese army’s headquarters in El Geneina, West Darfur, marking the third military headquarters in the Darfur region captured by them within a week.

The RSF broadcasted videos across their platforms showing their fighters in the courtyard and offices of the 15th Infantry Division belonging to the army in El Geneina. Additionally, they released other images that displayed prisoners from the army.

On 29 October, the RSF seized control of the headquarters of the 16th Infantry Division in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State and one of the largest military zones affiliated with the Sudanese army after Khartoum. Two days later, on 31 October, the RSF announced the seizure of the 21st Infantry Division in Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State. On Saturday, they declared the takeover of the 15th Infantry Division in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State.

The Sudanese Alliance, an armed group fighting alongside the Sudanese army, conceded the loss in a statement but said it would continue to fight the RSF. The Sudanese army did not comment on the events.

Additionally, the West Darfur State Revolutionaries Bloc, a youth group, accused the RSF and their allied Arab militias of targeting and killing thousands from the Masalit tribe, looting homes and markets, and raping women. However, the leadership of the RSF staunchly denies these accusations, stating that they will bring to justice anyone proven guilty of committing such violations.

Aid workers say thousands of refugees have arrived in Chad since the RSF began attacking El Geneina last week, joining over 500,000 Sudanese who fled there since the fighting between the group and the Sudanese army.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF erupted on 15 April. After approximately seven months of fighting, the United Nations estimates that more than 9,000 people have lost their lives, and nearly 6 million individuals have fled their homes.

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