Striking Fear into the Ranks of the Rebellion: “Al-Sayyad Mobile Force” – A Giant Roaming the Wilderness

Sudan Events – Agencies

Information remains extremely scarce regarding the “Al-Sayyad Mobile Force,” which set out from the city of El-Obeid heading towards the liberation of Darfur. Its exact destination is unclear—whether to break the siege on El Fasher, to liberate the 20th Division in Ed Daein, or the 16th Division in Nyala. Its current whereabouts after its last sighting near Al-Debeibat remain undisclosed—deliberately so. What is certain, however, is that it comprises full military units.

This giant force, which successfully broke the siege on El-Obeid and moved toward Darfur, has instilled great fear among militia leaders and members. In Ed Daein, for example, well-informed sources say that leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) evacuated their families to South Sudan. Additionally, tribal leaders and military commanders fled to the same country, while others dug trenches around Ed Daein, focusing on the direction from which the Al-Sayyad force is expected to approach the city.

Experts suggest that Al-Sayyad may enter Ed Daein without a fight, as tribal leaders might hand over the city to the army—especially given the RSF’s failure to maintain order there amid unprecedented insecurity. They indicate that tribal leadership, already discontented with the RSF, will raise its voice in favor of the army’s arrival and will play a role in ending the abnormal situation and handing the city over to the national army. According to sources within Ed Daein, some tribal leaders had supported the militia merely out of necessity.

Preparations in Nyala:

As even RSF intelligence remains unsure of the Al-Sayyad force’s destination, similar preparations are underway in Nyala, as seen in Ed Daein, with increased security measures. The RSF has dug trenches around Nyala Airport, and according to Darfur Now, they have planted landmines around the city. They also launched a wave of arrests, including within their own ranks—especially targeting those suspected of disloyalty or who do not belong to the Rizeigat ethnicity, fearing they may turn against the militia once the army arrives.

These intense security measures in Nyala and Ed Daein, according to experts, reveal deep fear within the militia over the army’s advance. They also suggest that the RSF leadership currently lacks any clear military strategy to confront the force. Experts attribute this to the militia’s fragmentation, having lost key leaders to either death or desertion. On Monday, the RSF reportedly tried to convince SPLM-North leader Abdelaziz al-Hilu to send his troops to Nyala. However, SPLM leaders later issued a statement rejecting the proposal, accusing al-Hilu of endangering his fighters by involving them in an irrelevant conflict.

The militia’s fragile state was epitomized by the RSF’s deputy leader, Abdelrahim Dagalo, who gathered schoolchildren, dressed them in military uniforms, and stood among them threatening to invade the Northern and River Nile states. Experts saw this as a diversion tactic—an attempt to distract the army and hinder its advance towards Darfur by hinting at the opening of a new front. They interpreted Dagalo’s remarks as clear evidence of the militia’s deteriorating internal situation.

The Battle to Liberate Darfur:

Given all these developments, the Battle for Darfur is not expected to be difficult. Security expert Major General Mohamed Abdelwahid stated in a television interview that the war in Sudan, including the Darfur campaign, could end within six months. However, Sudanese political science professor Dr. Mohamed Omar called that timeline overly optimistic. He believes that while the RSF’s military threat in Darfur could be eliminated sooner, the group may morph into a security threat—operating as gangs fighting among themselves for food and loot.

All this turmoil and tension within the RSF ranks is occurring while the Al-Sayyad force is still far from entering Darfur. Experts predict that its arrival will bring about significant changes—including the surrender of militia leaders—and anticipate that it may enter Ed Daein without resistance.

Source: Sudanese Echoes