The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched attacks on villages in eastern El Gezira state, Sudan, killing at least 25 people. This assault followed the defection of Abuagla Keikal, a high-ranking RSF officer originally from the area, according to activists.
Keikal’s forces had previously kept other RSF units from entering the region, preventing much of the violence that had plagued the rest of the state since December. However, after his defection on Sunday, a large contingent of RSF soldiers entered the area in what activists believe was a retaliatory move, leading to widespread displacement, looting, and killings.
The Rufaa Resistance Committee, a pro-democracy group, reported on Tuesday that 25 people had been killed in the town of Rufaa and several surrounding villages since Sunday. The committee also noted that most of Rufaa’s population had fled, homes were looted, and there were multiple reports of sexual violence.
On Tuesday, the RSF claimed to have driven the army out of the town of Tamboul, where clashes had erupted as the army attempts to retake territory from the RSF.