RSF Special Tasks Commander Defects With 300 Soldiers

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Azraq al-Fanjari, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Special Tasks Group, announced his defection from the paramilitary organization on Thursday. Al-Fanjari left the group alongside 300 officers and soldiers and 30 combat vehicles.

In a video statement, Al-Fanjari described the conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, as "a war without a cause and without a future." He cited a desire for peace and the "sanctity of Sudanese blood" as his primary motivations for leaving. During the announcement, he apologized to families affected by displacement and death and explicitly disassociated himself from violations committed against civilians.

Al-Fanjari urged other members of the RSF to defect and rally behind the Sudanese Armed Forces to prevent further bloodshed. The RSF has not yet issued a comment regarding the defection of the Special Tasks Group commander and his subordinates.