Saudi Arabia Describes Rapid Support Forces as a Criminal Militia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation and denunciation of what it described as “criminal attacks carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia” against Al-Kuwaik Military Hospital, a World Food Programme relief convoy, and a bus transporting displaced civilians.

In a statement, the ministry said the RSF attacks resulted in the deaths of dozens of unarmed civilians, including women and children, and caused damage to facilities and humanitarian convoys in North and South Kordofan states. It added that such acts cannot be justified under any circumstances and constitute flagrant violations of humanitarian norms and relevant international conventions.

The Kingdom called for the RSF militia to immediately halt these violations and to comply with its moral and humanitarian obligations to ensure the safe delivery of relief aid to those in need, in accordance with international and humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration (Commitment to Protect Civilians in Sudan) signed on May 11, 2023.

Saudi Arabia renewed its position supporting Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, stressing the need to preserve its legitimate institutions. It also rejected foreign interference and the continued involvement of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their declared support for a political solution — describing such conduct as a key factor in prolonging the conflict and worsening the suffering of the Sudanese people.