Rapid Support Forces

Rapid Support Forces
Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع
Emblem
FoundedAugust 2013
AllegianceGovernment of Sudan (until 2023)
TypeParamilitary
Size100,000 (2023)[1]
Part ofNational Intelligence and Security Service and Sudanese Armed Forces (formerly)
Engagements
Websitehttps://rapidsupportforce.com/
Commanders
CommanderMohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti")
Deputy headAbdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo[2]
Insignia
AbbreviationRSF
Flag
Dates of operation2013–present
Part ofSudanese Armed Forces (until 2023)
Allies
Opponents
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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع, romanized: Quwwāt ad-daʿm as-sarīʿ) is a paramilitary force formerly operated by the government of Sudan. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which previously fought on behalf of the Sudanese government.[16][17] Its actions in Darfur were deemed crimes against humanity by Human Rights Watch.[13]

RSF has been administered by the National Intelligence and Security Service, while during military operations it has been commanded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).[18] As of June 2019, the commander is General Hemedti (Muhamed Hamdan Dagalo).[19] During the Sudanese political crisis of 2019, the military junta that took control of the country employed the RSF to violently crack down on pro-democracy demonstrators.[19] Along with other security forces, RSF carried out the Khartoum massacre on 3 June 2019.[20][21][22]

On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between the RSF and the SAF after the RSF mobilized its forces in cities across Sudan, including in Darfur.[23] The SAF has designated the RSF a rebel group. RSF forces claim to have occupied Khartoum International Airport and other areas in Khartoum.[24][needs update]

  1. ^ "Factbox: Who are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces?". Reuters. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023. Analysts estimate the force numbers about 100,000, with bases and deployments across the country.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference AJE_RSF_deputy_head was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Elbagir, Nima; Mezzofiore, Gianluca; Qiblawi, Tamara (20 April 2023). "Exclusive: Evidence emerges of Russia's Wagner arming militia leader battling Sudan's army". CNN. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023. The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been supplying Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with missiles to aid their fight against the country's army, Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources have told CNN. The sources said the surface-to-air missiles have significantly buttressed RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
  4. ^ "Wagner in Sudan: What have Russian mercenaries been up to?". BBC News. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023. Its founder, Yevgeny Prighozin – who has close links to President Vladimir Putin – has said that, "Not a single Wagner PMC [private military company] fighter has been present in Sudan" for over two years. We've found no evidence that Russian mercenaries are currently inside the country. But there is evidence of Wagner's previous activities in Sudan...
  5. ^ "Sudan's army chief says Haftar denies supporting RSF; no confirmation on Wagner Group's involvement". Al-Ahram. 22 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Ethnic killings in one Sudan city left up to 15,000 dead: UN report". The Business Standard. 20 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Key Darfur groups join Sudanese army in its war against RSF paramilitary forces". Sudan Tribune. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference TalkingPeace was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Sudan's Connections With CAR, Chad Could Cause Conflict To Spread". Africa Defence Forum. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  10. ^ Faucon, Benoit; Said, Summer; Malsin, Jared (19 April 2023). "Libyan Militia and Egypt's Military Back Opposite Sides in Sudan Conflict". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023. "Mr. Haftar, who is backed by Russia and the United Arab Emirates, sent at least one shipment of ammunition on Monday (17 April) from Libya to Sudan to replenish supplies for Gen. Dagalo," the people familiar with the matter said.
  11. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/are-iranian-drones-turning-tide-sudans-civil-war-2024-04-10/
  12. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/06/ukrainian-special-forces-sudan-russian-mercenaries-wagner
  13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference HRW_Hemetti_Darfur2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dabanga_1000RSF_oil_sites was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference SudTrib_RSF_Yemen_10k_return was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Ismail, Nermin (6 September 2019). "Sudan eyewitness: Militiamen raped men, women". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  17. ^ Burke, Jason; Salih, Zeinab Mohammed (9 June 2019). "Millions join general strike in Sudan aimed at dislodging army". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  18. ^ "RSF to Uproot Rebels". Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Sudan Vision Daily, 19 May 2014.
  19. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference AJE_who_RSF_Hemeti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC_3Junemassacre was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference DailyBeast_Hemeti_responsibility was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference Albaih_Hemeti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ Mackay, Hamish (15 April 2023). "Fighter jets seen above Khartoum amid gunfire in Sudan's capital – live". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Sudan crisis: Air strikes launched against paramilitaries as clashes escalate". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.