Sudan: After a military setback, the paramilitary chief will not hold back his troops
In Sudan, the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, announced that he would no longer control his troops after suffering a defeat against the Sudanese army. The army regained control of strategic roadways leading to the capital, Khartoum, by retaking El-Obeid. This development follows months of RSF buildup around El-Obeid, which was part of a broader conflict over control of critical supply routes. The Sudanese military showcased their progress with footage of their commander visiting areas previously held by the RSF, alongside leaders of allied militias. In response, the RSF reportedly launched drone strikes on El-Obeid, targeting local institutions, though no casualties were reported. The United Nations has documented over 1,000 deaths from such attacks in the region since early this year, raising concerns about potential atrocities similar to those seen during the siege of El-Facher in 2025. Civilian access to Khartoum remains restricted, forcing residents to rely on alternative routes, where RSF drone attacks continue.
Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), announced on Monday, July 27, that he would no longer control his fighters following a military setback. The RSF, accused of genocide by international bodies, had been preparing for a major offensive around El-Obeid, a key city in central Sudan. However, after the Sudanese army regained control of a strategic road linking El-Obeid to the capital, Khartoum, Daglo stated in a video message that he could no longer restrain his combatants. The Sudanese army has been pushing back against RSF forces in the northern Kordofan state. According to two military sources speaking to AFP, after several days of fighting, the army managed to drive the RSF westward, away from the 400-kilometer road connecting El-Obeid to Khartoum. Images were released showing Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhane visiting Jabrat al-Cheikh, one of the last RSF strongholds along this road. He was accompanied by leaders of the two largest militias in his current coalition: Minni Minawi, governor of Darfur and commander of the Joint Forces, and Abu Aqla Kaykal, commander of the Sudanese Shield Forces. In response to the military advances, drone strikes were reported over El-Obeid, the largest city in northern Kordofan. Local officials attributed these attacks to the RSF. The offices of the Sudanese Bar Association and the Agricultural Bank of Sudan were destroyed in the strikes, according to an AFP journalist on site. No casualties were reported, though the United Nations has documented more than 1,000 deaths from drone strikes in northern Kordofan since the start of the year. The UN had warned for weeks that atrocities similar to those committed during the RSF’s assault on El-Fasher in Darfur in October 2025 could repeat in El-Obeid. The city had been under siege by paramilitary forces from April 2023 until February 2025, when the army finally broke the blockade. For months, both sides have attempted to cut each other's supply lines around the city, which sits at the crossroads of major routes through central Sudan. The north-south axis connects Khartoum with the rest of Kordofan, while the east-west axis links RSF strongholds in Darfur with areas controlled by the army in the center and east of the country. The army’s advance opens a second supply route to El-Obeid and beyond, noted one of the previously cited military sources, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on media communication. In El-Obeid, where the population normally numbers around 500,000, the number has doubled due to an influx of displaced persons, according to the UN. Only a fraction of residents have regular access to food. Sabrine Mohammed, a resident of El-Obeid, welcomed the army’s control of the road, stating that the RSF’s drone strikes are merely “spasms.” She told AFP that civilians have become accustomed to such violence, noting that whenever the army makes progress, the paramilitaries retaliate in northern Kordofan. The situation in El-Obeid reflects the broader humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which the UN describes as the worst in the world. Both the army and the RSF have faced numerous allegations of war crimes, including indiscriminate bombings. However, civilians generally view the army more favorably, having endured a series of abuses from the paramilitaries. The recent developments suggest a shifting balance of power in the region, with the army gaining ground and potentially altering the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
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In Sudan, the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, announced that he would no longer control his troops after suffering a defeat against the Sudanese army. The army regained control of strategic roadways leading to the capital, Khartoum, by retaking El-Obeid. This development follows months of RSF buildup around El-Obeid, which was part of a broader conflict over control of critical supply routes. The Sudanese military showcased their progress with footage of their commander visiting areas previously held by the RSF, alongside leaders of allied militias. In response, the RSF reportedly launched drone strikes on El-Obeid, targeting local institutions, though no casualties were reported. The United Nations has documented over 1,000 deaths from such attacks in the region since early this year, raising concerns about potential atrocities similar to those seen during the siege of El-Facher in 2025. Civilian access to Khartoum remains restricted, forcing residents to rely on alternative routes, where RSF drone attacks continue.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced account of the military developments between the Sudanese army and the RSF, including both sides' actions and their implications. It reports on troop movements, strategic gains, and civilian impact without overtly favoring either side. While the conflict is highly政治化,
Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details such as the name of the leader (Mohamed Hamdane Daglo), the group (FSR), the location (El-Obeid), and the military actions taken by both sides. It cites AFP sources and mentions the UN's estimate of over 1,000 deaths from drone strikes. However, it does not clar
Why objectivity (75): The article presents events in a largely neutral manner but uses terms like 'accusées de génocide,' which may imply a pre-existing judgment rather than presenting the claim objectively. The mention of drone attacks attributed to FSR by local officials introduces a potential bias depending on the rel
MediapartIndependent🔒ProgressiveFactual 65Objective 409 days ago
The article reports on the deaths of Iryna Trotsko and Serhii Kravtsiv at the hands of Russian forces, allegedly over a gas cylinder. The incident appears to be part of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where civilians and individuals associated with resistance movements face targeted violence. The article highlights the escalation of hostilities and the risks faced by individuals involved in the conflict. It does not provide further details on the circumstances of their death, the location, or any official statements regarding the incident.
Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the actions of Russian forces in a manner that emphasizes their aggression and the vulnerability of civilian targets, which aligns with a left-leaning perspective often critical of Russian military actions in Ukraine. The focus on individual casualties and the implication of state
Why factuality (65): The article reports that Iryna Trotsko and Serhii Kravtsiv were killed by Russian forces over a gas canister. While this aligns with some cross-source reporting on similar incidents during the conflict, there is no primary source documentation to verify the specific details. The claim lacks contextu
Why objectivity (40): The article presents a highly charged narrative with emotionally charged language implying direct responsibility of Russian forces. It lacks neutrality and omits any counterpoint or alternative explanation, presenting a one-sided account that suggests deliberate targeting based on a single item (a g
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