On Sunday, Sudan’s army announced that a senior commander from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had defected, taking some of his troops with him.
This marks the first high-profile defection since the intense fighting between the two sides began over 18 months ago.
The RSF, which now controls a significant part of the country amidst its conflict with the military, did not release an immediate response.
The United Nations has described the situation in Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian crises globally.
Supporters of the military shared photos online that allegedly show Abuagla Keikal, a former army officer who later became the RSF’s chief commander in El Gezira state, following his defection.
The army, which has recently made strategic gains against the RSF in Khartoum and surrounding areas, stated that Keikal made the move due to the RSF’s “destructive agenda.”
However, no further details were provided, and Keikal himself has yet to release a statement.
In addition, the army claimed progress in the southeastern state of Sennar, close to the Ethiopian border, securing a key supply route between eastern and southern Sudan.
Reporting from Khartoum, Al Jazeera confirmed Keikal’s senior role within the RSF, adding that the army has extended an open invitation to any RSF fighters who wish to join them.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted in April 2023 following tensions between the RSF and the army, has displaced more than 10 million people and driven much of the country into severe hunger.
Both factions, who had previously shared power after a 2021 coup, are now locked in a struggle for dominance, drawing in foreign powers providing material support to each side.