Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Sunday that they had regained control of the strategic al-Zurug base in North Darfur, just a day after it was seized by rival forces allied with the Sudanese army.
The fierce battle over the base underscores the ongoing power struggle that began in April 2023 between the RSF and Sudan’s military.
North Darfur has become a critical battleground, with the army and allied Joint Forces—comprising former rebel groups—fighting to maintain their foothold in the Darfur region.
On Saturday, the Joint Forces and the army claimed they had successfully captured al-Zurug, a vital logistical hub used by the RSF to funnel supplies from Chad and Libya.
During the takeover, dozens of RSF fighters were reportedly killed, vehicles destroyed, and critical supplies seized.
Analysts warn that the incident risks worsening ethnic tensions, as the RSF primarily draws support from Arab tribes, while the Joint Forces are predominantly made up of members of the Zaghawa tribe.
In a statement, the RSF accused the Joint Forces of committing atrocities during their brief control of al-Zurug, including the targeted killing of civilians, destruction of homes, and burning of public infrastructure such as wells, markets, health centers, and schools.
Conversely, the Joint Forces justified their assault, alleging that the RSF had been using al-Zurug as a launchpad for violent attacks on civilian areas, including al-Fashir, the state capital of North Darfur.
Al-Fashir remains one of the most intense frontlines in the conflict. According to a recent UN report, at least 782 civilians have been killed there since mid-April due to relentless artillery shelling, drone strikes by the RSF, and airstrikes by the army. On Sunday, activists from the al-Fashir Resistance Committee reported at least 30 missiles hitting various parts of the city.
Analysts suggest that consolidating control over al-Fashir would strengthen the RSF’s bid to establish a parallel government in Sudan, challenging the national administration based in Port Sudan. The conflict continues to exact a devastating toll on civilians, with no clear resolution in sight.
