Sudan’s army claims first defection of senior RSF commander

The reported defection comes arsenic Sudan’s service attempts to propulsion backmost its erstwhile ally, the paramilitary RSF.

Sudan’s service said connected Sunday a commandant from its foe the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had defected with immoderate of his troops, successful what would beryllium the archetypal specified determination by a elder fig since the sides started fighting much than 18 months ago.

There was nary contiguous remark from the RSF, which has seized power of ample parts of the state successful a struggle with the subject that the United Nations says has caused 1 of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Supporters of the service posted photos online purporting to amusement Abuagla Keikal – a erstwhile service serviceman who became the RSF’s apical commandant successful the southeastern authorities of El Gezira – aft helium had defected.

The army, which has precocious made gains against the RSF successful parts of the superior Khartoum, said Keikal had decided to marque the determination due to the fact that of his erstwhile force’s “destructive agenda”.

It did not spell into further item and determination was nary statement, successful people oregon connected video, from Keikal.

The service has besides claimed an beforehand successful the authorities of Sennar, successful southeast Sudan adjacent the borderline with Ethiopia, opening up a proviso way from eastbound Sudan into the south.

Reporting from Khartoum, Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan said Keikal was the astir elder RSF commandant successful El Gezira state.

“[The army] said that immoderate different combatant from the RSF who wants to travel and articulation ranks with the service is invited to bash so,” said Morgan.

The struggle has displaced much than 10 cardinal people, driven parts of the state to utmost hunger oregon famine, and drawn successful overseas powers that person supplied some sides with worldly support.

It began successful April 2023 erstwhile tensions betwixt the RSF and the army, who had been jostling for presumption earlier an internationally backed modulation to civilian rule, erupted into unfastened conflict.

The service and the RSF had antecedently shared powerfulness aft staging a coup successful 2021, 2 years aft seasoned person Omar al-Bashir was toppled successful a fashionable uprising.

Source

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Al Jazeera and quality agencies