Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Abu Aqla Kikil, the commander of Sudan Shield Forces allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has declared he will lead thousands of fighters to lift the siege on El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, promising to end the suffering of civilians trapped in the city.
Addressing a large crowd in the locality of Umma Al-Qura iss Al-Jazeera state on Wednesday, Kikil issued a stern warning to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), referring to them as “Janjaweed and the Dagalo family,” saying: “You will no longer sleep peacefully.”
His speech came during a tour of Al-Jazeera and Butana regions, aimed at rallying support for his forces and consolidating alliances as the conflict with the RSF intensifies. Kikil spoke emotionally about the toll of the war, stating that hundreds of lives have been lost and many civilians have perished. “If not for the sacrifices and the deaths,” he said, “We wouldn’t have regained our territories from the RSF,”
He emphasized his intention to push toward El Fasher to end what he described as a devastating siege imposed by RSF forces. “We are heading to El Fasher,” kikil declared, “and if it costs us our lives, we are ready to pay the price.”
Kikil arrived in Umm Al-Qura in a convoy of military vehicles and four-wheel drives, underscoring his group’s military preparedness and growing presence in Central Sudan. His visit is part of broader campaign to mobilize fighters and secure territory under the control of his Sudan Shield Forces, which have become increasingly active in recent months.
In previous statements, kikil expressed readiness to integrate his forces into the regular SAF. He stressed that the decision to merge with the national army was final, signaling a commitment to formal military structure and distancing himself from the kind of independent armed groups that have historically operated outside the state’s control.
These remarks come amid rising concerns over proliferation of non-state military forces in Sudan, particularly given the long and controversial history of the RSF, which was originally formed 14 years ago outside the formal military framework and later institutionalized.
Kikil’s vow to lead an operation to relieve El Fasher is likely to be met with both anticipation and apprehension, as the city has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the SAF and the RSF. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned about deteriorating conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire.
With tensions continuing to rise and military confrontations escalating in several parts of the country, Kikil’s statements mark a significant development in the shifting alliance and military dynamics within Sudan’s civil war. His actions in the coming days may determine the trajectory of the battle for El Fasher—and beyond.
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