The Telegraph: Rapid Support Forces Camps in Eastern Libya

The British newspaper The Telegraph reported that a new documentary and investigation by the Dutch organization Lighthouse Reports, in collaboration with the Sudan War Observatory and Evident Media, have uncovered allegations that fighters from the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces are receiving military training within a network of camps in eastern and southern Libya. This training includes instruction on operating drones and heavy weapons, and is taking place in areas controlled by the General Command under Khalifa Haftar.

According to the newspaper, the investigation is based on interviews with defectors from the Rapid Support Forces and officers from the General Command, in addition to analysis of satellite imagery, videos published on social media platforms, and open-source materials.

The newspaper reported that the investigation identified four previously undocumented camps in eastern Libya, including “Camp 17,” located about 20 kilometers from Benghazi. A defector from the Rapid Support Forces, identified only by the pseudonym “Ahmed,” claimed to have spent three months at the camp, receiving training in the use of drones, DShK heavy machine guns, multiple rocket launchers, and RPGs.

The newspaper added that the defector stated the trainers were neither Libyan nor Sudanese, but rather spoke English. He suggested they were likely Colombian mercenaries brought in with Emirati support and funding, according to his claim. He indicated that these trainers initially trained Libyan elements before the Libyans took over training the Sudanese fighters.

The newspaper indicated that the investigation alleges southern Libya has become a major logistical hub for supplying the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Military equipment arrives at the port of Benghazi or via cargo flights to inland bases before being transported overland to the Sudanese border.

The newspaper also quoted a defector who said he frequently witnessed weapons, military vehicles, and ammunition crates arriving on cargo planes. He added that some armored vehicles bore the label “Made in the UAE,” claiming that all supplies originated in the UAE and were then transported to Sudan via Libya.

According to the newspaper, investigators also relied on an analysis of thousands of videos posted on TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram, which they said showed the presence of RSF elements inside Libyan territory since the outbreak of the Sudanese war in April 2023. They also noted the presence of Toyota Land Cruiser 79 vehicles, which UN reports had previously linked to alleged arms transfers to the RSF.

The newspaper added that the investigation concluded there was close cooperation between elements of the General Command and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). It also noted the appearance of RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti” in propaganda materials alongside Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

The newspaper explained that Libyan officials from the “Subul al-Salam” Brigade denied these accusations, asserting they were merely rumors intended to incite fighting between the Libyan and Sudanese armies.

The newspaper also reported that the RSF denied receiving any external military support or operating training camps outside Sudan.

It added that the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied providing any military or financial support to any party in the Sudanese conflict, affirming in a statement that the UAE has not provided and will not provide any military or financial support to any warring party in Sudan.

The newspaper linked the publication of the investigation to developments on the ground in Sudan, pointing to reports of an impending attack by the Rapid Support Forces on the city of El-Obied in North Kordofan State, and to British warnings of a deteriorating humanitarian situation, as well as criticisms made by experts before the British Parliament regarding London’s handling of the Sudanese crisis, considering that Britain still has a pivotal role within the Security Council in leading international efforts aimed at reducing violations and preventing further atrocities, according to the British newspaper “The Telegraph”.