Sudanese paramilitary forces have announced their control over the strategic border town of Al-Tina, located near Chad, following their capture of two neighboring towns last December. This announcement was made through a statement on their Telegram channel, accompanied by celebratory videos showing fighters claiming victory in Al-Tina. The town was previously held by joint forces allied with the regular army, which has been engaged in a conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.

The declaration of control came without immediate response from the Sudanese army, raising concerns about the ongoing conflict in the region. The situation in Darfur, where Al-Tina is located, remains tense as fighting has intensified, leading to widespread accusations of atrocities. The pro-army governor of Darfur, Minni Minnawi, condemned the actions of the RSF and characterized them as repeated criminal behavior, echoing claims of serious human rights violations and even genocide against civilians in the area.

The implications of this territorial gain by the RSF are significant as it indicates their growing influence and operational capacity in Sudan, particularly in conflict zones like Darfur. This underscores the precarious situation for civilians caught in the crossfire, as militant groups continue to challenge the authority of the regular army, leading to fears of further humanitarian crises and instability in the region.