Sudanese Conflict Escalates as Fighting Spreads to West Darfur

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has reached a new front in West Darfur, an RSF-controlled state bordering Chad. The conflict, which has now lasted 17 months, saw clashes erupt on Monday in the town of Kalbus, with the army-aligned Joint Force claiming to have repelled an RSF attack. The fighting has caused widespread disruption and has forced over 800,000 people to flee into neighbouring Chad.

Key Takeaways:

• The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has spread to West Darfur, with clashes erupting in the town of Kalbus on Monday.
• The Joint Force, comprising the Sudan Liberation Army, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, and the Justice and Equality Movement, claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the RSF, killing the attacking force's commander and his deputy.
• 14 RSF vehicles were destroyed and dozens of their fighters were killed in the clashes, according to the Joint Force's commander, Awad Nur Ashr.
• The RSF has been accused of widespread atrocities in West Darfur state, including ethnic cleansing against the Masalit community.
• The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has been mobilizing forces in the region for days, with reinforcements arriving in Kalbus.
• The Joint Force aims to retake control of West Darfur from the RSF, which seized the state early in the conflict.

Statistics:

• 17 months: the duration of the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF.
• 800,000: the number of people forced to flee into neighbouring Chad due to the violence.
• 14: the number of RSF vehicles destroyed in the clashes.
• Dozens: the number of RSF fighters killed in the clashes.
• 140 km: the distance from Kalbus to the state capital of El Geneina in West Darfur.

Sources:

• Sudan Tribune
• Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) commander Awad Nur Ashr