Rapid Support Forces
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع, romanized: Quwwāt ad-daʿm as-sarīʿ) are paramilitary forces formerly operated by the Government of Sudan. It grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government. Its actions in Darfur qualify as crimes against humanity in the opinion of Human Rights Watch.
| Rapid Support Forces | |
|---|---|
| Arabic: قوات الدعم السريع | |
Emblem | |
| Founded | August 2013 |
| Allegiance | Government of Sudan (until 2023) |
| Type | Paramilitary |
| Size | 100,000 (2023) |
| Part of | National Intelligence and Security Service and Sudanese Armed Forces (formerly) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemedti") |
| Deputy head | Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo |
| Insignia | |
| Abbreviation | RSF |
| Dates of operation | 2013–present |
| Part of | Sudanese Armed Forces (until 2023) |
| Allies | |
| Opponents | |
RSF has been administered by the National Intelligence and Security Service, while during military operations is has been commanded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). As of June 2019, the commander is General Hemedti (Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo). During the Sudanese political crisis of 2019, the military junta that took control of the country employed RSF to violently crack down on pro-democracy demonstrators. Along with other security forces, RSF carried out the Khartoum massacre on 3 June 2019. On 15 April 2023, fighting broke out between RSF and the SAF after RSF mobilized its forces in cities across Sudan, including in Darfur. SAF has designated RSF a rebel group. RSF forces claim to have occupied Khartoum International Airport and other areas in Khartoum.