The RSF forces engaged in combat against Sudan’s army have declared the capture of Nyala, the nation’s second-largest city outside the Khartoum region, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing six-month war.
In a statement, the Rapid Support Forces announced that they had assumed control of the army’s principal headquarters in the city, which serves as the capital of South Darfur state.
“In Nyala, the fall of the SAF 16th Infantry Division — the second-largest SAF military headquarters — marks a significant achievement. All military units within and outside Nyala were liberated, including the headquarters and all corps and garrisons,” RSF said.
RSF also announced that they had also confiscated all of the equipment at the base and released a video showing their soldiers celebrating with gunfire, celebrating that they had successfully captured the base.
The army declined from issuing a comment in response, RSF announcement came as the two sides were set to resume negotiations in Jeddah.
The RSF has established a significant presence throughout much of Khartoum, but the army has so-far defended some of its crucial strongholds within the national capital. Many government officials have relocated to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast.
The RSF additionally released video footage featuring their second-in-command, Abdelrahim Dagalo. In the video, he said that he was at the helm of the ongoing effort.
Nyala, regarded as a trade hub that experts believe could potentially serve as a strategic location for the RSF, had experienced intense clashes, marked by airstrikes and artillery bombardments resulting in casualties, widespread destruction of residences, and disruption of essential services.
With a minimum of 670,000 South Darfur inhabitants forcibly uprooted from their residences, this state stands as the second most severely affected region following Khartoum.
It has also seized authority over Zalingei, the central hub of Central Darfur state. Regarding the remaining two state capitals in the area, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have established a presence in the capital of East Darfur, El Daein, even as the army maintains its positions there.
Meanwhile, intense clashes persist in the battle for control over the capital of North Darfur, El Fasher.
The group, in their statement also announced that, “The RSF is dedicated to building hand-in-hand with the people of Sudan a new nation based on the principles of peace and democracy, and a unified national army that is devoid of political ideology and representative of all our citizens.
