Kutum, March 03 (Darfur24)
The “Desert Shield” forces, led by Ibrahim Ismail, known as “Al-Buraq,” have reached an agreement with the Revolutionary Awakening Council headed by Musa Hilal to fully merge the two groups, informed sources said.
The deal follows a recent attack by the Rapid Support Forces on the Mistariha area, which left several people dead, including a son of Musa Hilal. Hilal survived the assault and later reached areas under the control of the Sudanese army.
Sources said the agreement provides for the unification of leadership and operational command structures, coordination of training and deployment, and the organization of logistics and supplies to strengthen field readiness and joint operations.
Ibrahim Ismail had previously aligned his “Desert Shield” force with the RSF at the start of the war, but later withdrew following disputes over command and support arrangements. The group pulled out of operations along the Al-Khuwai–Al-Nahud axis before recently returning to Darfur, where it is now positioned in mountainous areas north of Kutum toward Ghurair.
Sources added that family ties between Ibrahim Ismail and Musa Hilal helped facilitate the merger.