Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) announced on Wednesday that they had taken control of a strategic area bordering Egypt and Libya, following the withdrawal of regular army units from the region.
This development follows accusations by the Sudanese army that fighters loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar had joined the RSF in a cross-border attack—marking the first direct claim of Libyan involvement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah said the military had pulled out of the “triangle” region, a mountainous area at the juncture of Sudan, Egypt, and Libya, as part of defensive measures. “Our forces today evacuated the triangle area overlooking the borders,” he stated.
The RSF claimed it had “liberated” the area after inflicting substantial losses on army troops, who had retreated southwards. It also said the capture would have significant strategic impact across multiple battlefronts, particularly in the northern desert.
A military source speaking to AFP anonymously said clashes had begun three days earlier, when RSF forces, supported by Libyan troops aligned with Haftar, launched an offensive against the Sudanese army’s Joint Forces.
The triangle, spanning roughly 1,500 square kilometres, has long served as a hub for mining and cross-border commerce. A former army officer noted that the RSF’s control over the area gives it influence over crucial supply lines connecting Libya and Sudan.
He added that the nearest army presence is about 400 kilometres to the northeast, leaving northern Sudan vulnerable to further RSF advances.
In its statement, the RSF described the area as “a central hub for trade and transport between northern and eastern Africa,” and claimed it holds untapped reserves of oil, gas, and minerals.
The triangle lies north of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the last major city in the region under army control. In recent weeks, fighting around El-Fasher has intensified, with both military installations and displacement camps coming under attack.
Following the fall of Khartoum earlier this year, the RSF has combined long-range drone strikes on army-held cities with counteroffensives aimed at reclaiming territory in the south.
The Sudanese military on Tuesday condemned the joint RSF and Haftar-led assault as “a blatant aggression” and part of a foreign-led conspiracy. While the Libyan foreign ministry aligned with Haftar did not explicitly confirm involvement, it stressed its commitment to international law and non-interference in other nations’ affairs.
Tripoli’s UN-recognised government also issued a statement rejecting any action that could destabilise neighbouring countries and distanced itself from involving Libyan actors in cross-border operations.
Haftar, who rules eastern Libya, has long-standing ties with the UAE and Egypt. While Egypt has backed Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since the conflict began in April 2023, Khartoum has accused the UAE of supplying weapons to the RSF—allegations the Emirati government has denied.
Diplomatic relations between Sudan and the UAE deteriorated sharply in May after drone strikes targeted Port Sudan, prompting Khartoum to cut ties and label Abu Dhabi an “aggressor state.”
The war in Sudan has effectively fractured the country, with the army controlling the north, east, and centre, while the RSF dominates Darfur and parts of the south.
Tens of thousands have been killed since the conflict erupted, and more than 13 million people have been displaced—including four million who have fled the country—creating what the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.
Despite repeated efforts by international mediators, including ceasefire negotiations, the violence continues to escalate, particularly across Darfur and the southern Kordofan region.
