Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Wednesday that it had seized full control of areas bordering Chad in North Darfur in western Sudan.
The RSF released videos of its forces as they deployed in several towns in the regions.
The Sudanese army has yet to comment on the development.
In a statement, the RSF said that along with allies forces, it captured the regions of Um Qamra and Abu Barro in the westernmost point in North Darfur.
It accused the army and its allied forces of carrying out “systematic attacks” and “reprisals” against civilians in the area.
The RSF said the capture of the regions “ends the deployment of armed forces” and puts and end to the “reprisals and chaos”.
It added that it has deployed military units “to protect the civilians and secure roads and public areas to restore normal life there.”
On Tuesday, prior to the capture, Darfur region governor and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army Minni Minnawi had warned of an imminent RSF attack.
He had called on the people to defend themselves and their property, adding: “Defend your existence... the land that is not protected by its people gets stolen, and the dignity that is not defended is killed.”
His call had prompted harsh criticism in Darfur who accused him of attempting to embroil the people in an uneven confrontation with the RSF that is far better equipped and ready to fight.
They wondered why the joint forces of various parties had withdrawn from the area and not held their ground to fight the RSF.
The RSF had in the early hours of Wednesday launched attacks on the towns of al-Tina and Kernoi, capturing them without resistance.
With its latest capture, the RSF now has control of Sudan’s borders with Chad, Libya, Central Africa and South Sudan.
