The commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commonly known as Hemetti, has threatened expanded military offensives in key regions, including El Obeid in North Kordofan and several towns in the Northern State. His latest remarks, issued in a recorded message, mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric amid Sudan’s deepening civil war.
Hemetti claimed that RSF forces are now positioned around El Obeid from multiple directions following recent gains in South and West Kordofan. The RSF leader warned that if the Sudanese army attempts to use the city as a base for operations in Darfur and Kordofan, his forces will launch a direct attack.
“We are ready to move at any moment,” Hemetti declared, while advising El Obeid residents to avoid military zones and remain indoors for their safety. He extended a similar warning to civilians in the Northern State, listing Merowe, Ad-Dabba, and Dongola as potential targets due to what he alleged were affiliations with former regime figures.
The RSF, according to Hemetti, has recently retaken Al-Debaybat and Al-Khawi, describing these victories as major setbacks for the army’s elite “Al-Sayad” unit. He claimed the RSF had neutralized much of this unit’s operational capacity, accusing it of attempts to reverse RSF advances in Kordofan and Darfur.
Accusations of Foreign Involvement
Hemetti renewed accusations against Egypt, alleging Cairo has been aiding the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) with aircraft and military supplies. He claimed Egyptian aircraft operating from Dongola were involved in bombing RSF-held areas. The RSF chief also alleged that dozens of Egyptian trucks carrying military equipment recently entered Sudan, calling it an “aggression against the Sudanese people.”
In addition, Hemetti warned Eritrea against further involvement, asserting that Eritrean support to the Sudanese army could worsen regional instability.
Rejection of Peace Talks
In a notable shift, Hemetti rejected a return to internationally-brokered peace talks in Jeddah, stating that the RSF would not negotiate with those responsible for aerial bombings and alleged war crimes. However, he expressed openness to a political settlement not involving “murderers or criminals,” emphasizing the need for accountability before peace.
He linked the ongoing conflict to efforts to dismantle the influence of the Islamic Movement in Sudan, saying the war would only end once this political faction is removed from power.
Internal RSF Accountability
In response to a video that surfaced online showing an RSF fighter driving a vehicle over a captured soldier, Hemetti announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident. He called on RSF fighters to hand over prisoners to proper military field courts and reaffirmed a commitment to discipline within the ranks.
Background
Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal internal conflict since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces against the RSF in a power struggle that has devastated multiple regions. Efforts by regional and international actors to mediate the crisis have yielded little success, with both sides trading blame for atrocities and refusing compromise.
As the RSF tightens its grip in Kordofan and eyes a push toward the Northern State, fears are mounting of a broader regional escalation in a war already marked by high civilian casualties and massive displacement.