Sudan’s war takes another blow as dozens of paramilitaries abandon the Rapid Support Forces
Dozens of fighters have defected from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, according to reports, dealing a fresh setback to the powerful paramilitary group as it battles for control of the country.
The defections underscore growing strain within the RSF, which has faced battlefield losses, internal divisions and mounting international pressure.
The group has fought Sudan’s army since April 2023, plunging the country into a humanitarian catastrophe and displacing millions of people.
The departing fighters are reportedly linked to the RSF’s broader network of armed groups, though details about their identities, locations and reasons for leaving remain limited.
The move could weaken the RSF’s ability to hold territory and sustain operations, particularly if more fighters follow.
Sudan’s conflict has killed and injured large numbers of civilians, disrupted aid deliveries and fueled allegations of atrocities by both sides. Any significant shift in allegiance could further reshape the balance of power, but it is unclear whether the defections represent a coordinated break or isolated departures.