Rapid Support Forces

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF; ) 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 during the War in Darfur, and was responsible for atrocities against civilians. Its actions in Darfur qualify as crimes against humanity according to Human Rights Watch. RSF is administered by the National Intelligence and Security Service, while during military operations is commanded by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). , 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. Origin RSF has its roots in the Janjaweed militias used by the Sudanese Government in its attempts to fight the anti-government insurgency during the War in Darfur. RSF was officially formed in 2013, following a restructuring and reactivation of Janjaweed militias in order to combat rebel groups in Darfur region, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile states, following joint attacks by Sudanese Revolutionary Front rebels in North and South Kordofan in April 2013. Leadership and numbers RSF is headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ("Hemetti"), who has been its leader since it was created in 2013 or 2014. , Hemetti's brother Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo is deputy head of RSF.