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Members of the Rapid Support Forces (Reuters)
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GEZIRA - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have seized control of several towns in Sudan’s eastern Gezira State, following the defection of Gen. Abuagla Keikal from the RSF to the Sudanese army.
According to local sources speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the RSF launched an attack on the town of Tamboul on Sunday evening, leaving at least five people dead, several others injured, and damaging businesses in the market. One resident described the situation as dire, as the army retreated, allowing the RSF to take full control of the town.
The RSF also reportedly detained dozens of soldiers loyal to Keikal, primarily from the Butana region.
RSF spokesperson Al-Fateh Qureshi stated that after Gen. Keikal defected to the army, “a large enemy force attempted to recapture Tamboul.” He added that the RSF responded decisively, killing over 200 soldiers and seizing 45 fully equipped military vehicles before driving them out of the town.
Qureshi further alleged that Gen. Keikal had gone into hiding with his family, citing suspicious activities. He accused Keikal of being involved in a deal orchestrated by his brother, who had allegedly negotiated with army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to secure military and intelligence support in exchange for surrender.
Ibrahim Mukheer, an advisor to the RSF leader, confirmed that Keikal is under investigation for disclosing the location of Blue Nile Commander Abdel Rahman Al-Bashi, who was later killed by army forces. Mukheer added that while Keikal surrendered to the army along with several vehicles and his personal guard, he did not possess any significant military intelligence.
Meanwhile, in the city of Rufa'a, also in Gezira State, the Popular Resistance Committees reported that the army had attempted to advance into eastern Gezira after withdrawing from Tamboul. The RSF, however, attacked several towns in the region, including Al-Junayd and Al-Hila, resulting in civilian casualties.
The Popular Resistance Committees condemned both the army and the RSF for endangering civilian lives, denouncing the use of residents as human shields.
In a separate development, the RSF claimed responsibility for downing a military aircraft in northern Darfur, killing its six-member crew. Qureshi stated that RSF personnel had captured video footage of the wreckage, along with the crew’s passports, confirming their identities. He noted that the aircraft had been involved in several operations targeting civilians in Sudan.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat,
