High-ranking RSF commander killed in Khartoum along with brother

KHARTOUM – A senior commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Jalaha Rahma Mahdi, was killed in Khartoum on Tuesday along with his brother, Musa Rahma Mahdi, during clashes with government forces.

Prominent RSF media personality, Omar Jibril, confirmed the deaths in a statement on social media platform X, Formerly Known as Twitter.

“General Jalaha was martyred today in Khartoum, leaving behind a shining legacy of bravery and courage. He fought wars and led battles with rare steadfastness and got what he sought,” Jibril, who arrived in West Darfur State capital El Geneina, wrote.

General Jalaha was a prominent figure within the RSF, known for his loyalty to the group and for making controversial statements including against the paramilitary group’s leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo and his threats to attack Egypt.

He is not an RSF himself. He is a leader of the Al-Shujaan Movement and joined the RSF in September 2023 as an ally. He formed his group after fleeing jail for Libya in 2014.

He was central to the RSF’s advance in eastern central Sudan when the group took control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazira State in late 2023.

His death is a significant blow to the paramilitary force as it battles the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for control of the capital.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the killings occurred during intense fighting in the Shambat area of Bahri, a northern district of Khartoum. The SAF has been advancing against RSF positions in recent days, registering victories such as breaking siege of the General Command of the Armed Forces.