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Russia’s Wagner Group mercenary group is accused of supplying missiles to the RSF paramilitary which is currently in civil war in Sudan. Photo/REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Group mercenaries Russia’s Wagner Group is accused of supplying surface-to-air missiles to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary force currently in civil war against the military. Sudan .
The accusation was made by the United States (US) government when it announced new sanctions against the Wagner Group on Thursday.
“Recently in Sudan, the Wagner Group has supplied Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces with surface-to-air missiles to fight against the Sudanese army, contributing to a protracted armed conflict that has only resulted in further chaos in the region,” the US Treasury said in a statement. a statement reported by Al Arabiya, Friday (26/5/2023).
On the same day, the RSF reportedly shot down a Sudanese military MiG-29 fighter jet. The fighter jet is made in Russia.
A statement by the US Treasury said new US sanctions were being imposed against the head of Russia’s Wagner Group in Mali.
Earlier this week, the US disclosed classified information which revealed that the mercenary group was trying to obtain weapons from Africa, specifically Mali.
Washington has previously accused the Wagner Group of meddling and destabilizing several African countries while committing human rights violations and expropriating natural resources.
“While the Russian military has been fighting on the battlefield, (President Vladimir) Putin has been forced to rely on the Wagner Group to continue the war of his choice,” the US Treasury said.
A fragile cease-fire in Sudan brokered by the US and Saudi Arabia has contributed to a reduction in violence but has not completely stopped it.
The US State Department said on Thursday that a monitoring mechanism was keeping track of possible ceasefire violations in the African country.
The Sudanese military and RSF have been locked in clashes for several weeks as the two sides battle for control of the government.
The Wagner Group is known for its involvement in the war in Bakhmut, Ukraine. The group claims to have captured the city and handed over control to the Russian military.
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