The Darfur Joint Forces have refuted claims of their withdrawal from Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, amid recent clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The joint forces comprise of the Darfur armed movements who signed the Juba Peace Agreement.

The head of media and information, Maj. Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that their joint force had not departed from Nyala.

He said they had instead taken measures in response to the escalating conflicts and indiscriminate bombings near civilian areas, which had resulted in increased civilian casualties. Mustafa emphasized, “This is a baseless allegation.”

He further explained, “We have not left Nyala town, but due to intensified fighting, the Joint Force Command directs its forces using 15 combat vehicles to evacuate civilians to safe areas.”

Mustafa stressed that the information circulating on social media was unfounded and untrue, reiterating that the armed struggle movements' joint forces had not abandoned Nyala, and their positions remained intact.

Last week, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Sudan's second largest city, Nyala, from the army after months of fighting.

Nyala, capital of South Darfur state, is a strategic city connecting Sudan with Central African Republic (CAR).

Fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15 over tensions linked to a planned transition to civilian rule. It has devastated Khartoum's capital and sparked ethnically driven attacks in the Darfur region.