Kutum, August 31 (Darfur24)
Residents of four villages in Kutum locality, North Darfur State, said Sunday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) detained at least 140 people recruited to fight alongside the Sudanese army last week.
The detainees were reportedly from Al-Hamra, Radma, Al-Touma and Abu-Skein villages, according to residents.
A Tunjur tribal leader told Darfur24 that some native administration leaders, in coordination with local figures loyal to Major General Al-Nur Al-Qubba, a commander who recently defected from the RSF, had been recruiting hundreds of young men to fight alongside the army.
The tribal leader said the recruitment campaign took advantage of the difficult economic conditions facing families, angering some native administration leaders who subsequently informed the RSF in Kutum.
He said clashes broke out last week between the RSF and forces loyal to Al-Qubba, resulting in the detention of at least 140 young recruits whose whereabouts and fate remain unknown.
Residents of Kutum locality said dozens of families had appealed to the RSF to release their sons, who were detained amid the recent tensions between the RSF and forces loyal to Al-Qubba.
Two weeks ago, a delegation from the Tunjur native administration met with North Darfur Governor Al-Hafiz Bakhit, appointed by the Sudanese army. The delegation discussed several issues and expressed its readiness to support the army in what it described as efforts to liberate all of North Darfur.
The governor is based outside the state, most of which remains under RSF control.
Darfur24 could not independently verify the number of recruits detained or the circumstances surrounding their detention.