Sudan conflict sees RSF special forces graduation and army gains in Darfur

The conflict in Sudan continues to see shifts in military control and capability between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In South Darfur, the RSF announced the graduation of its first special forces unit in Nyala following 18 months of training. The program aimed to enhance military discipline and operational readiness. While the RSF did not disclose the number of graduates or specific deployment plans, the event marks an effort to develop specialized combat units amid ongoing hostilities.

In West Darfur, the Sudanese army and allied forces reported the capture of the Bir Kelekel area in the Jebel Moon district. West Darfur Governor Bahr al-Din Adam Karama described the location as strategically important. This advance follows recent gains by the army's allied groups in other parts of the region.

The war, which began in April 2023, has left the country divided, with the army controlling much of the north, east, and center, while the RSF maintains control over much of Darfur and parts of Kordofan.