December 3, Nairobi — In Central Darfur state, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) mobilized 200 fighters in preparation for their transfer to El Fasher, sources told Darfur24 on Monday.
In other parts of South and North Darfur, the RSF was also mobilizing and preparing young fighters to take control of El Fasher.
El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, is the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The RSF have been fighting heavily in recent months to take it over. Last week, airstrikes and artillery fire between the RSF and SAF hit a major hospital in El Fasher. The Saudi Hospital, a vital medical facility in the city, has been repeatedly caught in the crossfires of the conflict in the last six months.
In Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, 200 fighters were allegedly mobilized at the ministries headquarters. In Nyala, capital of South Darfur, a mobilization campaign is underway in surrounding towns, drawing in young people. Video clips obtained by Darfur24 show soldiers being addressed by RSF leader Ali Rizq Allah known as “El Savannah.” He said he would lead them to El Fasher to fight.
Recent reports have revealed that Colombian ex-soldiers were recruited to fight in El Fasher with the RSF. The soldiers were allegedly recruited by by a Colombian company, International Services Agency A4SI, under the pretense of securing oil infrastructure in the UAE. However, they were transported to Libya via Dubai or Abu Dhabi where they were met with representatives of the RSF. Three Colombian fighters were allegedly killed in El Fasher in October.