Sudanese Army Gains “High-Value Defection” from RSF Ranks

Sources reported on Saturday that Major General Al-Nour Al-Qubba of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has defected to the Sudanese Armed Forces, leading a force estimated at 21 combat vehicles.

According to sources who spoke to Darfur24, Al-Qubba expressed deep dissatisfaction with the RSF leadership following its takeover of El-Fashir, arguing that he was more entitled—based on military hierarchy—to command the Sixth Division. This came particularly after the appointment of Major General Jadu Ibnashok to the post.

The sources indicated that Ibnashok’s appointment in October 2025, after RSF forces seized control of El-Fashir, prompted Al-Qubba to withdraw to his home village in North Darfur, where he remained in a form of sit-in for more than seven months.

Al-Qubba had previously participated in the battles of El-Fashir, where he commanded the “Dira’a Al-Salam” (Peace Shield) mobile force.

Sources further revealed that RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo dispatched a delegation to negotiate with Al-Qubba and contain the dispute. However, Al-Qubba reportedly informed the delegation of mounting pressure from his tribal and family circles, alongside a growing sense that his contributions within the RSF had not been adequately recognized.

The sources added that contacts between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Al-Qubba had begun earlier, prior to the RSF’s incursion into the Mistariha area and the departure of Mahamid tribal leader Musa Hilal, who reportedly played a mediating role in facilitating Al-Qubba’s defection.

They suggested that Al-Qubba may have played a pivotal role in securing Musa Hilal’s safe exit from Mistariha to areas under Sudanese army control.

In February, RSF forces launched an attack on the Mistariha area just one day after an attempted drone assassination targeting Musa Hilal, which ultimately forced him to flee his main stronghold.