Fall of the 16th Division headquarters in Nyala
RSF capture the army headquarters in the South Darfur capital
The Rapid Support Forces claimed control of the 16th Division headquarters in Nyala this morning, October 26, after overwhelming defenders during a four-day assault.
Videos filmed by RSF combatants largely corroborate this, showing that they captured the main gate as well as a side gate, also entering inside the base where they clashed with the last defenders. Yesterday they captured trenches on the western side of the base, and Tuesday they overran positions at the military hospital, warehouses, and adjoining neighborhoods, which guarded the base’s northern flank.
By mid-morning, celebratory gunfire rang out throughout Nyala and other cities of Darfur as RSF fighters celebrated the fall of the base. If there is still any SAF resistance in Nyala, it is limited to small pockets in the government ministries district.
The victory effectively gives the RSF full control of the South Darfur capital, the largest city in the Darfur region, and one of the largest in Sudan after Khartoum.
The development also coincides with the resumption of ceasefire talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscoring the RSF’s belief in the possibility of a military victory. RSF’s deputy commander-in-chief, Abdelrahim Dagalo, oversaw the assault and paid visits to troops in the field, urging them onward, according to geoconfirmed videos.
A military source in Nyala last night told Sudan War Monitor that the base could fall imminently, adding that the Armed Forces were suffering from a complete shortage of military and medical supplies: “The army and its health are difficult in Nyala. They do not even have gauze, and the division could fall at any moment.”
“RSF’s seizure of Nyala will end the catastrophic mutual shelling that has devastated Nyala neighborhoods and injured and killed hundreds of civilians. But it could also enflame conflict in the rest of Darfur.”
The RSF’s assault on the 16th Division was aided by the desertion and defection of dozens of soldiers earlier this week—60 in total plus five Land Cruisers, according the remarks by the defectors in a video published by the RSF press office. Additionally, rumors circulated that the SAF commander in Nyala, Maj. Gen. Hussein Mohamed Joddat, had fled prior to the attack—though this is unconfirmed. Joddat had taken command in August after the death of Major General Yasser Fadlallah al-Khidir.
Videos of captured SAF trenches in three locations show only a limited number of dead bodies, suggesting possibly that SAF was overstretched and the defenses were lightly manned. Nevertheless, Nyala’s hospitals, which are undersupplied and understaffed, are reportedly overwhelmed with wounded civilians and combatants.
RSF’s seizure of Nyala will end the catastrophic mutual shelling that has devastated Nyala neighborhoods and injured and killed hundreds of civilians. But it could also enflame conflict in the rest of the country, including al-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where SAF have a strong presence alongside the former Darfur rebels.
Members of the RSF killed several members of one of those groups, the Sudan Liberation Army-Transitional Council led by al-Hadi Idriss Yahia, earlier this week in Nyala, according to a video they filmed inside the SLA-TC’s Nyala office (⚠️ graphic), which is located north of the army warehouses. It is unclear if the victims were combatants or not; the faction has sought to remain neutral so far in the current war.
Additionally, members of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces (GSLF) led by al-Tahir Hajar clashed with RSF west of the 16th Division headquarters yesterday. A senior source from the Juba Peace signatories told Sudan War Monitor that 15 members of the movements have died so far in the Nyala fighting.
Videos from Nyala
This section will be updated as we identify more videos and add geoconfirmation.
RSF inside the 16th Division headquarters, October 26, 2023:
RSF at a side gate of the 16th Division headquarters, October 26, 2023:
RSF at the northeast gate (12.051650, 24.875743), October 26, 2023
RSF inside the 16th Division headquarters, October 26, 2023:
RSF assaulting SAF trenches west of the base (graphic), October 25, 2023:
RSF at the 4th Regiment barracks and a military school for children of officers, 300 meters west of the division headquarters, October 25, 2023:
RSF at the same location, October 25, 2023:
RSF at the same location, preparing to rush toward the division headquarters:
Abdelrahim Dagalo in front of the captured military hospital, October 24, 2023: