Published on 11/10/2024
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemetti, accused Egypt of supporting the Sudanese army in military operations.
In response, he pledged to escalate the conflict by mobilizing one million fighters and initiating “Plan B.” Hemetti’s announcement marks a significant intensification in the ongoing conflict.
In a video statement broadcast by RSF platforms on Wednesday night, Hemetti admitted his forces had suffered defeat in battles at Jabal Moya, where they were subjected to heavy aerial bombardment by Egyptian warplanes and drones for several hours.
On October 5, Sudan’s army regained control of the strategically important Jabal Moya mountain range, which connects the states of Sennar, Al-Jazirah, and White Nile. The RSF had seized the area in late June, using it to dominate most of Sennar state and disrupt supply lines to central, Blue Nile, and Kordofan states.
“We were defeated at Jabal Moya in Sennar state by treacherous Egyptian airstrikes, similar to the attack on our unarmed forces at Karrari camp on the first day of the war when soldiers on their way to Saudi Arabia were bombed,” Hemetti said.
He stated that his forces had long remained silent on Egypt’s involvement in the war but added, “Regrettably, they have intensified their role and are now directly engaged in the conflict, alongside Iran’s deployment of Mohajer drones and support from more than seven other nations, either directly or indirectly.”
Hemetti said Sukhoi 29 fighter jets had bombarded RSF positions for hours in Jabal Moya. He also accused the Sudanese army of hiring mercenaries from Ukraine, claiming they had justified this by alleging that the RSF received support from Russia. He added that fighters from Azerbaijan, Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and Eritrean opposition groups were also fighting alongside the Sudanese army.
“They have used all available means—air, land, and sea. Egypt fought against us, and during the Geneva negotiations, Egypt provided the Sudanese army with eight warplanes and 250 kg bombs, which are U.S.-made,” he added.
Hemetti sharply criticized continued air raids targeting civilians in Darfur, Kordofan, Sennar and Al-Jazirah and expressed surprise that no airstrikes were conducted in the northern and Nile River states, despite the presence of his forces in areas such as Hajar Al-Asal and Qari in the Jili region, north of Khartoum. He suggested that the airstrikes might be ethnically motivated.
Hemetti distanced himself from groups accused of committing widespread crimes, including murder and looting, while allegedly fighting alongside the RSF. “We are not associated with them; we did not call for or mobilize any group. Only freedom fighters have joined the RSF. Those involved in killing and looting have no connection to us—these are planted groups,” he said.
He issued instructions to his forces to prevent filming during battles and to avoid mistreating or interrogating prisoners on the battlefield.
Hemetti urged his soldiers on leave to immediately report to their units and organise their ranks to prepare for further fighting. He also instructed them to refrain from firing ammunition during celebrations, emphasizing that the RSF does not receive military support from external sources. He announced plans to mobilize one million fighters and move to “Plan B.”
Hemetti reiterated his accusations against the Islamic Movement and its Secretary-General, Ali Karti, as well as senior leaders of the National Congress Party, including Ahmed Haroun, accusing them of orchestrating the ongoing war and influencing the army’s leadership. He claimed the Islamic Movement had planned the coup to regain power, stating, “They overthrew us and attacked us while we were asleep.”
