Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have reclaimed a critical logistical base in North Darfur after losing it to army-backed Joint Forces, the paramilitary group announced on Sunday. The al-Zurug base, near Chad and Libya’s borders, has been pivotal in channeling supplies throughout the 20-month conflict.
“The Joint Forces carried out ethnic cleansing against innocent civilians, intentionally killing women, children, and the elderly,” the RSF alleged in a statement, accusing their rivals of destroying homes, markets, and public facilities during the brief occupation.
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Since April 2023, fierce battles have raged in Darfur, with North Darfur emerging as a key battleground. Analysts warn the latest escalation could worsen ethnic tensions between the Arab tribes backing the RSF and the Zaghawa tribe supporting the Joint Forces.
Civilian Death Toll Rises in Darfur’s Prolonged Conflict
According to the U.N., at least 782 civilians have died in al-Fashir, North Darfur’s capital, since mid-April. Heavy artillery, suicide drones, and airstrikes have devastated the city, with activists reporting 30 missile strikes on Sunday alone.
“Both sides are responsible for targeting civilians and worsening humanitarian conditions,” said a local activist. The RSF aims to consolidate power by seizing key areas like al-Fashir to establish a parallel government in opposition to the national administration in Port Sudan, analysts suggest.
The Joint Forces claim the al-Zurug base had been used for “barbaric operations” against civilians in al-Fashir, one of the most contested frontlines. “We will continue to resist these atrocities,” the group said in a statement, vowing further action.
As fighting intensifies, Darfur’s displaced population grows, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Aid organizations have called for immediate action to protect vulnerable groups and restore peace in the region.
