Sudan army defeats RSF in North Darfur, senior commander killed

Sudan’s army and allied forces said they repelled the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in two strategic locations in North/West Darfur – Hajar al‑Marafieen and Bir Saliba. Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minnawi announced that the clashes resulted in the death of senior RSF commander Mahdi Adam (also reported as Mehdi Jabal Moon) and that joint forces captured or destroyed significant RSF equipment.

The RSF has not commented on the reports. The fighting is part of Sudan’s three‑year‑old war that began in April 2023 after a dispute over integrating the paramilitary force into the regular military. The conflict has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 13 million people, according to United Nations estimates. The latest battle could influence control of North Darfur, where both sides continue to vie for territory.