The Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army, announced that they have seized control of Nyala, the second largest city in Sudan, on Thursday. Controlling the capital of South Darfur state in western Sudan may mark a turning point in the ongoing war, which has lasted for six months, and comes at a time when both sides are scheduled to resume negotiations in Jeddah. The army has not responded to requests for comment, and it has not been possible to verify the Rapid Support Forces' announcement due to communication network outages.
The army has managed to protect its main bases in Khartoum despite the Rapid Support Forces being deployed heavily throughout the capital. Meanwhile, the government has moved most of its premises to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. The Rapid Support Forces also released a video of their second-in-command, Abdel Rahim Dagalo, who is under U.S. sanctions, claiming he leads the efforts.
Nyala has witnessed waves of violent fighting, with air and artillery bombardments resulting in dozens of deaths, destroying civilian homes and disrupting basic services. Nyala is a commercial center that observers say the Rapid Support Forces may establish as a base. At least 670,000 residents of South Darfur have been displaced, making South Darfur the second most affected state after Khartoum.
The Rapid Support Forces, which have strong bases in pockets of the Darfur region, have been accused of committing ethnic massacres in Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, and stoking tension throughout the region. They have also taken control of Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur. In the other two capitals in the region, Rapid Support Forces have spread throughout Ed Daein, the capital of East Darfur, although the army has retained its bases there, while fierce battles are ongoing in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur.
