As the Sudanese Armed Forces announced the capture of several drones belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Jabra Sheikh area of North Kordofan State, a new group from the RSF announced its defection and joining the army on Friday. This move is part of a series of splits that have plagued the paramilitary force since the outbreak of war in April 2023.
According to military sources, the defecting group comprises approximately 45 fighters, including several commanders, most notably Othman Al-Nour, Younis Idris, and Ali Al-Zein. They arrived from the city of Bara in North Kordofan State before being received by the Sudanese army in Omdurman, west of the capital, Khartoum.
These defections come at a time when the RSF is facing increasing military pressure as the army continues its advance on several fronts, particularly in the Kordofan states, in addition to the escalating battles in Darfur, where supply lines and strategically important locations for both sides are concentrated.
The theater of operations in North Kordofan has witnessed a significant escalation in recent weeks, after the army intensified its operations around the towns of Bara and Jebel Sheikh, and along the roads connecting to El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, in an attempt to cut off the supply lines relied upon by the Rapid Support Forces. The Bara axis is considered one of the most important military axes in North Kordofan, given its location on a network of roads linking North and West Kordofan to the capital, Khartoum.
series of defections
This was not the first human or organizational loss suffered by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Over the past two years, the war has witnessed the defection of several field commanders and personnel to the army, in addition to shifts in the allegiances of some armed groups that were previously allied with the RSF.
The most prominent of these shifts was the announcement by Major General Abu Aqla Kikil, commander of the Sudan Shield Forces, in October 2024, that he was ending his alliance with the RSF and joining the army. Observers considered this a significant change in the balance of power in the Gezira and Central Sudan states, even though Kikil was not part of the RSF's organizational structure.
The year 2026 also saw the departure of prominent field commanders, including Brigadier General Ali Rizqallah, known as "Al-Safna," who announced his departure from the RSF and his joining the army, as well as Major General Al-Nur Ahmed Adam, known as "Al-Nur Al-Qubba," a field commander who played a prominent role within the force.
Recent months have also witnessed the surrender of small groups of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, coinciding with the army's advances in several areas. Observers see this as an indication of the military and logistical pressures facing some field units, despite the RSF maintaining a significant military presence in large parts of Darfur.
Military analyst Hossam al-Din Mahmoud believes these defections reveal internal challenges related to the cohesion of command and control within the RSF, especially given the protracted war and the shifting balance of power in several areas.
He told that some defections followed complex negotiations and arrangements between defecting commanders and the army, while others stemmed from internal disputes or calculations concerning the future of military operations. He noted that the increasing number of these defections reflects growing pressure within some field formations.
Observers believe the significance of the defections lies not only in the number of fighters joining the army, but also in their indication of a shift in morale within some field units, particularly those operating in Kordofan. The continuation of military operations there is linked to the ability to secure supply routes between Darfur and central Sudan. Therefore, any defections in these areas could have an impact that extends beyond mere numbers to encompass logistical and military dimensions.
Mahmoud pointed out that the escalating defections confirm that the war has entered a new phase, one that depends not only on controlling cities and military sites, but also on the ability to maintain troop cohesion and internal alliances.
The army seizes drones… and Hemedti vows to return to Khartoum
He added that the Sudanese army is seeking to leverage the defection of commanders and fighters to bolster morale and weaken its adversary, while the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) face an increasing challenge in maintaining their cohesion as military operations continue and political and military pressure mounts.
These developments coincided with ongoing fighting on several fronts, particularly in the Kordofan states, with the army advancing in some areas. Meanwhile, the RSF is striving to maintain its positions of influence in parts of Kordofan and Darfur.
The Sudanese army announced the capture of RSF drones in the Jebra Sheikh area and reported territorial gains on several fronts in North Kordofan. The RSF continues to rely increasingly on drones and long-range attacks to target military sites and infrastructure, following a decline in its capacity to conduct large-scale operations in central Sudan.
Attention is focused on North Kordofan as a crucial region in the course of military operations, given its strategic location linking Khartoum to western Sudan, as well as its importance for supply lines and military movements. Control of this axis gives either side a significant advantage in moving between Darfur and the central states, which explains the intensification of fighting there in recent months.
Conversely, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) still maintain considerable military capabilities, particularly in Darfur, where they have a widespread presence and significant influence in several areas. This makes the continuation of military operations likely, despite the army's gains on some fronts.
The commander of these forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo "Hemedti," has vowed to reach the capital, Khartoum.
On Thursday, the Sudan Tribune quoted Hemedti as saying to a gathering of his forces at an undisclosed location, "You must perform ablution and think about Khartoum. We promise from here that our goal is Khartoum."
He thanked the fighters who have supported his forces since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023.
Hemedti made his remarks after holding a meeting of the Sudanese Founding Alliance (Ta'sis), the civilian wing of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The alliance's spokesperson, Ahmed Tagad Lissan, said on Wednesday that the army's attack and its capture of positions and areas controlled by Ta'sis forces represent an escalation that undermines all efforts toward de-escalation.Threat to international efforts
He stated that the attack undermined the value of international calls, to which the coalition forces had responded, to refrain from any hostile military action that would hinder or threaten international efforts aimed at de-escalation, addressing the humanitarian situation, and launching the political process.
In another development, the Sudanese army announced the arrest of a member of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accused of participating in the torture and filming of Sudanese displaced person Qisma Ali Omar last year. The video, which circulated widely, shows Omar's death in Central Darfur State last year.
This case is part of a broader file of accusations related to human rights violations during the war, including killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and abuses against civilians in various regions, particularly in Darfur.
The United Nations and human rights organizations continue to call for independent investigations into crimes committed during the war, amidst mutual accusations between the army and the RSF of committing violations against civilians. UN reports indicate that Darfur continues to witness the most serious patterns of violations, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement. Human rights organizations have called for investigations into the violations and for those responsible to be held accountable, warning that continued impunity could lead to further abuses. Recent reports have also raised concerns about the recruitment of child soldiers and the targeting of civilians in conflict zones.
Meanwhile, the Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization and the Hope and Refuge Organization warned of the deteriorating humanitarian situation for displaced people in the Golo locality of Central Darfur State, citing severe food shortages and the continued disruption of humanitarian aid.
In a joint humanitarian appeal, the two organizations stated that children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most affected by the crisis. Approximately ten displaced families confirmed that they have not received any humanitarian assistance for nearly a year and are unable to afford medical treatment or school fees for their children, exacerbating their suffering. The organizations called on local, regional, and international humanitarian agencies to intervene urgently to provide food, health, and educational assistance, warning that the continuation of the current situation threatens further humanitarian deterioration.
Central Darfur is experiencing a dire humanitarian situation due to the ongoing conflict and the increasing number of displaced people. Humanitarian organizations face significant challenges in delivering aid due to the deteriorating security situation, logistical constraints, and funding shortages. UN agencies have repeatedly warned of a widening humanitarian gap in Sudan, particularly in the areas of food security, healthcare, and education, as the international response has declined.
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