A prominent commander in the Rapid Support Militia surrendered and sided with the army
A prominent commander in the Rapid Support Militia surrendered and sided with the army
Sudanese media sources have revealed that Abu Aqila Muhammad Ahmed Keikel, a prominent leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Al-Jazira state, has surrendered himself, along with his forces and equipment, to Brigadier General Ahmed Shaa El-Din, commander of the Al-Batana region in the Sudanese army.
Keikel, who leads the “Sudan Shield Forces,” had announced his support for the RSF in early August of last year, aligning with the forces engaged in combat against the Sudanese army since mid-April of the same year.
In a video statement at the time, Keikel voiced his backing for the RSF, stating it was in support of the marginalized regions and to fight against remnants of the former regime. This raised questions about the strength and capabilities of his forces and their potential role in tipping the balance in favor of the RSF on the ground.
Keikel first came into public view in mid-December 2022, when he organized a military parade for his forces in the “Jibal al-Ghur” region of the Al-Batana plain in central Sudan.
At the time, the Sudan Shield Forces showcased a military force they claimed consisted of 35,000 soldiers and thousands of supporters across various regions of Sudan. Despite the display of military power, the group’s leaders, who appeared in military attire, declared that they were not in a state of hostility with anyone.
