Global InformationRapid Support Forces information
| Rapid Support Forces | |
|---|---|
| Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع | |
 Emblem | |
| Founded | August 2013 |
| Allegiance | Government of Sudan (until 2023) |
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Size | 100,000 (2023)[1] |
| Part of | National Intelligence and Security Service and Sudanese Armed Forces (formerly) |
| Engagements |
|
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti") |
| Deputy head | Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo[2] |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | RSF |
| Dates of operation | 2013–present |
| Part of | Sudanese Armed Forces (until 2023) |
| Allies |
|
| Opponents |
|
|
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox militant organization with unknown parameter "subordinate" | |
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع, romanized: Quwwāt ad-daʿm as-sarīʿ) is a paramilitary force formerly operated by the Government of Sudan. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which previously fought on behalf of the Sudanese government.[14][15] Its actions in Darfur qualify as crimes against humanity in the opinion of Human Rights Watch.[11]
RSF has been administered by the National Intelligence and Security Service, while during military operations it has been commanded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).[16] As of June 2019[update], the commander is General Hemedti (Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo).[17] During the Sudanese political crisis of 2019, the military junta that took control of the country employed RSF to violently crack down on pro-democracy demonstrators.[17] Along with other security forces, RSF carried out the Khartoum massacre on 3 June 2019.[18][19][20]
On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between RSF and the SAF after RSF mobilized its forces in cities across Sudan, including in Darfur.[21] SAF has designated RSF a rebel group. RSF forces claim to have occupied Khartoum International Airport and other areas in Khartoum.[22][needs update]
- ^ "Factbox: Who are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces?". Reuters. 13 April 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
Analysts estimate the force numbers about 100,000, with bases and deployments across the country.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
AJE_RSF_deputy_headwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Elbagir, Nima; Mezzofiore, Gianluca; Qiblawi, Tamara (20 April 2023). "Exclusive: Evidence emerges of Russia's Wagner arming militia leader battling Sudan's army". CNN. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been supplying Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with missiles to aid their fight against the country's army, Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources have told CNN. The sources said the surface-to-air missiles have significantly buttressed RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
- ^ "Wagner in Sudan: What have Russian mercenaries been up to?". BBC News. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
Its founder, Yevgeny Prighozin – who has close links to President Vladimir Putin – has said that, "Not a single Wagner PMC [private military company] fighter has been present in Sudan" for over two years. We've found no evidence that Russian mercenaries are currently inside the country. But there is evidence of Wagner's previous activities in Sudan...
- ^ "Sudan's army chief says Haftar denies supporting RSF; no confirmation on Wagner Group's involvement". Al-Ahram. 22 April 2023. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "Ethnic killings in one Sudan city left up to 15,000 dead: UN report". The Business Standard. 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Key Darfur groups join Sudanese army in its war against RSF paramilitary forces". Sudan Tribune. 17 November 2023. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
TalkingPeacewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Sudan's Connections With CAR, Chad Could Cause Conflict To Spread". Africa Defence Forum. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ Faucon, Benoit; Said, Summer; Malsin, Jared (19 April 2023). "Libyan Militia and Egypt's Military Back Opposite Sides in Sudan Conflict". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
"Mr. Haftar, who is backed by Russia and the United Arab Emirates, sent at least one shipment of ammunition on Monday (17 April) from Libya to Sudan to replenish supplies for Gen. Dagalo," the people familiar with the matter said.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
HRW_Hemetti_Darfur2014was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Dabanga_1000RSF_oil_siteswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SudTrib_RSF_Yemen_10k_returnwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Ismail, Nermin (6 September 2019). "Sudan eyewitness: Militiamen raped men, women". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ Burke, Jason; Salih, Zeinab Mohammed (9 June 2019). "Millions join general strike in Sudan aimed at dislodging army". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
- ^ "RSF to Uproot Rebels". Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Sudan Vision Daily, 19 May 2014.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
AJE_who_RSF_Hemetiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
BBC_3Junemassacrewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DailyBeast_Hemeti_responsibilitywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Albaih_Hemetiwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Mackay, Hamish (15 April 2023). "Fighter jets seen above Khartoum amid gunfire in Sudan's capital – live". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ "Sudan crisis: Air strikes launched against paramilitaries as clashes escalate". BBC News. Archived from the original on 26 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.