Sudan's RSF denies involvement in West Darfur violence

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias deny any role in recent violence in West Darfur, slamming allegations by Human Rights Watch (HRW) that they waged a massacre.

According to HRW, 28 members of the Masalit tribe were killed and dozens of civilians were injured by the RSF and allies who then destroyed the town of Misterei in May.

But Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim, who's an advisor to the RSF top brass, tells the BBC the clashes there were part of an ongoing civil war between local tribes and the Masalit tribes "which is old and renewed".

Rights groups have documented numerous abuses in the region, where Arab militias have been targeting non-Arabs. People in El Geneina and surrounding areas have suffered some of the worst violence since this conflict began.

Mr Ibrahim says the RSF had no base in Misterei, and accuses HRW of relying on biased sources and having no presence on the ground.

Investigations by the government and international organisations are ongoing to establish the truth and work towards resolving the long-standing conflict in the region.

This article originally appeared on BBC News.

Photo: BBC.