Sudanese army accuses Libyas Haftar of joint border attack with RSF

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have accused Libyan militia leader Khalifa Haftar of taking part in a joint border attack with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its war with Khartoum.

The attack is the first time direct involvement of Libyan fighters in the conflict in Sudan has been alleged.

SAF spokesman Nabil Abdullah said in a statement the attack took place on Tuesday on the borders of Sudan, Libya, and Egypt.

Abdullah said Haftar's forces had attacked army positions in coordination with the RSF, denouncing a "blatant aggression against Sudan" aimed at taking control of the border region.

Neither the RSF or Haftar have responded to the allegations.

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The Sudanese foreign ministry accused the UAE, which backs Haftar as well as the RSF, of supporting the joint attack, calling it a "dangerous escalation" and a "blatant violation of international law". Abu Dhabi denies supporting the paramilitary group.

"Sudan's border with Libya has long served as a corridor for arms and mercenaries supporting the [RSF] funded by the Emirates," it said in a statement.

The RSF has been at war with its erstwhile allies the SAF since April 2023.

In recent weeks, fighting has surged in key strongholds, especially in Darfur and Kordofan, where the RSF is pressing ahead with plans to form a parallel government. 

Both sides have deployed drones, air raids, intelligence units, and special forces in increasingly aggressive operations, particularly in Nyala - capital of South Darfur and a strategic RSF centre - and Port Sudan, the current seat of the SAF-aligned administration.

The SAF has launched sustained air strikes on military installations in Nyala in recent days, with a focus on the city’s international airport. 

Sudan's war has displaced millions and killed tens of thousands, while the RSF has been accused of extensive use of sexual violence.

Across the country, nearly 25 million people are suffering dire food insecurity according to the World Food Programme.

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