RSF regains control of Dinder after clashes with SAF and allies

SENNAR – Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Friday they had recaptured the town of Al-Dinder in Sennar state for the second time in a week, following clashes with the army and allied armed movements.

The army and its rebel allies had announced control of Al-Dinder on July 4, days after the RSF took it on July 2. The town, located near the border between Sennar and Gadaref states in eastern Sudan, is considered strategic for linking the areas of Sennar and Blue Nile with the east.

“The RSF achieved a sweeping victory on Friday over the Burhan militia, the terrorist Islamic Movement battalions, and the joint forces, and took full control of the strategic Al-Dinder area,” an RSF statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, reads in part.

The statement described the army and rebels as the “enemy” and claimed to have inflicted heavy losses in equipment and lives. It said they seized nine military vehicles and destroyed seven others, along with various weapons and ammunition.

The RSF also claimed to have killed more than 170 enemy forces and captured the commanders of the army’s mobile unit and the joint rebel force. They released video footage purporting to show their fighters on the Al-Dinder bridge.

There was no immediate comment from the Sudanese army or the rebel groups.

Human rights groups have previously accused the RSF of committing abuses during their brief first control of Al-Dinder from July 2 to 4, including looting money, crops, gold, phones, and cars.