The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday acknowledged that some of its units crossed into Chadian territory and clashed with Chadian forces, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers and injuries to others. The RSF described the incident as “unintentional” and the result of “a mistake.”
Chad’s government had earlier condemned the attack, calling it “an unacceptable act of aggression and a clear, serious, and repeated violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Previously, the RSF accused Sudanese armed movements led by Minni Arko Minnawi and Gibril Ibrahim of orchestrating a “plot to provoke tensions with Chad and drag the entire region into an armed conflict that threatens regional stability.”
In a statement released Sunday, the RSF said its delay in addressing the incident was due to its “commitment to verifying the facts transparently and responsibly.” The force expressed regret over what it called a “regrettable and unintended clash” with Chadian troops.
According to the statement, “some RSF units mistakenly advanced into Chadian territory while pursuing Sudanese army forces and armed groups that had crossed from Chad, without prior knowledge of the borders.”
The RSF affirmed its “full responsibility” for the incident and pledged to “continue investigations and hold accountable any members found to have committed errors or violations, in accordance with military regulations.”
Fighting has intensified in northern Darfur near the Chadian border, where the RSF is attacking the areas of Um Buru, Tina, and Karnoi in an attempt to gain control.
The Sudanese government accuses Chad of supporting the RSF, filing a complaint with African Union bodies. N’Djamena has denied the allegation, calling for an end to the war.
Currently, the RSF controls all five Darfur states in western Sudan, while the Sudanese army holds most of the remaining 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum.
Darfur constitutes roughly one-fifth of Sudan’s total area of 1.8 million square kilometers, though most of the country’s 50 million residents live under army-controlled territories.
(Anadolu + Al-Yurea)
