The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have asserted their control over the town of Kalbus, located near Sudan’s border with Chad, though conflicting reports from military sources suggest the battle is still ongoing.
Kalbus, approximately 130 kilometers from El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, has been under RSF dominance since November 2023. The RSF posted videos on their official Telegram channel, showcasing their presence in key areas of Kalbus, including the local government offices, following intense clashes with the Joint Force allied to the Sudanese army. Some Joint Force fighters reportedly fled across the border into Chad.
Witnesses from the region reported casualties on both sides due to the fighting, but exact figures remain unclear.
Despite the RSF’s claims of securing Kalbus, Ahmed Hussein, the spokesman for the Joint Force, told local media that resistance was still ongoing, and the situation remained fluid. The Joint Force had initially taken control of Kalbus on October 7th. The town was previously administered by the Qamar tribe, which had negotiated a peaceful agreement with the RSF during their takeover of West Darfur in November 2023.
In the broader conflict, the RSF thwarted the Joint Force’s advances in Jabal Umm, an area east of Kalbus, solidifying their hold over the town and further extending their dominance over the entire West Darfur state. This region has been at the center of severe human rights violations, including war crimes against the Masalit ethnic group, as reported by Human Rights Watch.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported the displacement of around 1,000 families from Kalbus, with most fleeing toward the Chadian border for safety due to escalating violence in the area.