El Obeid, November 13 (Darfur24)
A leaked military document has revealed extensive preparations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) west of El Obeid, showing the mobilization of more than 380 combat vehicles along the city’s western axis.
The document, obtained by Darfur24, indicated that the RSF is awaiting the completion of specific operational arrangements before launching an assault on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State.
According to the report, the RSF expanded its control east of the city following its seizure of El Fasher, the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in Darfur.
Meanwhile, intense fighting has continued for two consecutive days in Babanusa, West Kordofan State, where the headquarters of the army’s 22nd Division is located.
The document further stated that around 300 RSF combat vehicles were transferred from Darfur to Kordofan to reinforce forces in Babanusa, and that the RSF granted financial incentives to its personnel, $1,000 for officers and $600 for non-commissioned officers, to encourage participation in the ongoing battles.
Local sources in East Darfur told Darfur24 that the RSF distributed $600 to each fighter engaged in operations in Babanusa. Residents in Al-Daein confirmed that hundreds of RSF fighters visited money exchange shops to convert dollars into Sudanese pounds after receiving the payments.
Eyewitnesses reported that the RSF moved heavy weapons on large trucks under tight security toward Babanusa.
In El Obeid, the Sudanese army announced it had shot down two RSF drones after acquiring a new defense system capable of intercepting strategic drones.
Meanwhile, the civil and local administration in West Kordofan requested that the army personnel inside the 22nd Division headquarters allow civilians to leave the area safely. However, the forces have yet to respond.