A Grim New Phase in Sudan’s War as Rebel Militias Open New Fronts

There has been a new grim twist in the protracted civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—after two rebel groups decided to join the army to fight the RSF. Last week’s move by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) came after the RSF made major gains in the rebel groups’ support base in Darfur. The two movements, along with other factions supporting the army, have charged the RSF of committing crimes against humanity and “numerous” violations and transgressions. “In response to the RSF’s threat to Sudan’s unity and their repeated assaults on cities, villages, and defenseless civilians—resulting in fatalities and displacement, coupled with the present danger to humanitarian and commercial convoys through attempts to sever supply routes to various areas—we renounce any neutrality,” they stated during a press conference held in Port Sudan....