Rapid Support Forces

In 2003, the Janjaweed militia, which later evolved into the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, was formed to help quash the rebellion in Darfur.

The Janjaweed militia, funded by Bashir, was formally organized under the banner of the RSF in 2013. The RSF has been involved in various conflicts and has a history of brutal attacks and human rights abuses.

In February 2014, Human Rights Watch estimated that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had about 5,000–6,000 soldiers deployed in Darfur.

In 2015, the RSF, alongside Sudan's army, joined the war in Yemen, fighting alongside Saudi and Emirati forces.

In November 2017, Hemetti utilized the RSF to seize control of gold mines in the Darfur region, leading to significant wealth accumulation and making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Sudan by 2019.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) was established by the Sudanese government during the Darfur conflict to utilize Arab tribes organized under Janjaweed militias against rebel groups. Initially created to fight armed rebellion in Darfur, RSF later expanded its operations to other provinces like South Kordofan and the Blue Nile.

The RSF has faced allegations of numerous human rights violations in Darfur and other regions. These accusations have raised concerns about the conduct of the paramilitary force.

Hamdan Dagalo, also known as 'Hemedti', serves as the commander of the RSF and the deputy head of the Transitional Military Council in Sudan. Speculations suggest that he is positioning himself to gain influence in the post-Bashir era.

On June 3, 2019, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed 100 protestors, injured 500, raped women, and pillaged homes during the Khartoum massacre. There were reports that RSF tied bricks of cement to the bodies of dead protestors to make them sink in the Nile.

Reports indicate that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are resorting to violence against Sudanese military personnel who express support for the protesters, hinting at growing tensions within the country's security forces.

Nine people were shot dead in the market of the village al-Dalij in Central Darfur by Janjaweed/RSF forces. The incident was seen as a response to civil disobedience.

The Rapid Support Forces have been accused of perpetrating sexual violence, extralegal killings, and war crimes in Darfur. These atrocities mirror the recent violence against civilians in Khartoum.

Hemedti has denied accountability for the violence committed by the Rapid Support Forces, blaming it on 'imposter troops'. This statement came amidst accusations of violence against civilians in Khartoum and a history of alleged war crimes in Darfur.

The event discusses the role of the Rapid Support Forces in the escalation of violence in Sudan. It provides analysis on the impact of this group on the conflict situation in the country.

Tensions between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army in Sudan escalated on April 15, 2021, when the RSF refused to integrate into the regular army, leading to fighting that overwhelmed the country.

On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) after RSF mobilized its forces in cities across Sudan, including in Darfur.

As of April 17, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Army are in direct confrontation due to the growing influence and ambitions of General Hamdan.

On April 18, 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) removed the word 'Quds' from its official logo, which was an acronym for 'Rapid Support Forces' and also the spelling of Jerusalem. The previous version of the logo contained the word 'Quds' in reference to the city of Jerusalem.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have a brutal history, originating from the notorious Janjaweed militia in Africa. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, commands the RSF.

The activities of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan pose a dual threat to the post-Bashir era. Firstly, their violence against civilians jeopardizes peaceful protests and the demand for a civilian-led government. Secondly, their targeting of Sudanese military members could lead to a violent struggle for power.