Rapid Support Forces | |
---|---|
Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع | |
![]() Emblem | |
Founded | August 2013 |
Allegiance | Government of Sudan (until 2023) |
Type | Paramilitary |
Size | 100,000 (2023)[1] |
Part of | National Intelligence and Security Service and Sudanese Armed Forces (formerly) |
Engagements | |
Website | https://rapidsupportforce.com/ |
Commanders | |
Commander | Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti") |
Deputy head | Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo[2] |
Insignia | |
Abbreviation | RSF |
Dates of operation | 2013–present |
Part of | Sudanese Armed Forces (until 2023) |
Allies | |
Opponents | |
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The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع, romanized: Quwwāt ad-daʿm as-sarīʿ) is a paramilitary force formerly operated by the Government of Sudan. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which previously fought on behalf of the Sudanese government.[14][15] Its actions in Darfur qualify as crimes against humanity in the opinion of Human Rights Watch.[11]
RSF has been administered by the National Intelligence and Security Service, while during military operations it has been commanded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).[16] As of June 2019[update], the commander is General Hemedti (Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo).[17] During the Sudanese political crisis of 2019, the military junta that took control of the country employed RSF to violently crack down on pro-democracy demonstrators.[17] Along with other security forces, RSF carried out the Khartoum massacre on 3 June 2019.[18][19][20]
On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between RSF and the SAF after RSF mobilized its forces in cities across Sudan, including in Darfur.[21] SAF has designated RSF a rebel group. RSF forces claim to have occupied Khartoum International Airport and other areas in Khartoum.[22][needs update]
Analysts estimate the force numbers about 100,000, with bases and deployments across the country.
AJE_RSF_deputy_head
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).The Russian mercenary group Wagner has been supplying Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with missiles to aid their fight against the country's army, Sudanese and regional diplomatic sources have told CNN. The sources said the surface-to-air missiles have significantly buttressed RSF paramilitary fighters and their leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
Its founder, Yevgeny Prighozin – who has close links to President Vladimir Putin – has said that, "Not a single Wagner PMC [private military company] fighter has been present in Sudan" for over two years. We've found no evidence that Russian mercenaries are currently inside the country. But there is evidence of Wagner's previous activities in Sudan...
TalkingPeace
was invoked but never defined (see the help page)."Mr. Haftar, who is backed by Russia and the United Arab Emirates, sent at least one shipment of ammunition on Monday (17 April) from Libya to Sudan to replenish supplies for Gen. Dagalo," the people familiar with the matter said.
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Dabanga_1000RSF_oil_sites
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).SudTrib_RSF_Yemen_10k_return
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).AJE_who_RSF_Hemeti
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).BBC_3Junemassacre
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Albaih_Hemeti
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search