Abu Aqla Kikal (Arabic: أبو عاقلة كيكل), also spelled Abu Agla Keikel, is a former commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.[2][3] In October 2024, he defected to the Sudanese Armed Forces,[4] which triggered a series of violent retaliatory attacks by the RSF on civilians in the Gezira State.[5] These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties and widespread displacement.[5]

Abu Aqla Kikal
أبو عاقلة كيكل
Personal details
Born1971 or 1972 (age 51–52)[1]
Military service
Allegiance Rapid Support Forces (until October 2024)
Sudanese Armed Forces
Rank Major General
CommandsRSF in Gezira State (until October 2024)
Battles/warsSudanese civil war (2023-present)

Keikel, a retired officer from the Sudanese army, founded the "Sudan Shield Forces" in 2022.[6] By August 2023, he declared his support for the RSF. Originating from Butana in central Sudan, Keikel became an activist and a key member of the executive office of the "Free Butana Forum," which focuses on regional public affairs. He was also notably active in the forums organized by the National Forum.[7][4]

Reference

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  1. ^ عاين, شبكة (2024-10-21). "أبو عاقلة كيكل.. من هو ومن أين أتى؟". Ayin network - شبكة عاين (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  2. ^ MAGDY, SAMY. "Rights group calls for international force to protect Sudanese amid a rampage by paramilitaries". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  3. ^ SudanTribune (2024-11-11). "Sudanese army officer implicated in fall of Wad Madani to RSF". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  4. ^ a b "أبوعاقلة كيكل: من هو القائد كيكل الذي انشق عن قوات "الدعم السريع" وانضم للجيش السوداني؟". BBC News عربي (in Arabic). 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  5. ^ a b "Rights body faults RSF for targeting civilians in Sudan's Al Gezira State". Radio Tamazuj. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  6. ^ د.هشام, يقول (2024-10-21). "أبوعاقلة كيكل هل خان الدعم السريع أم أنه كان يتبع لاستخبارات الجيش؟ – صحيفة التغيير السودانية , اخبار السودان" (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-11.
  7. ^ النور, النور أحمد. "ماذا يعني انضمام قائد الدعم السريع بالجزيرة للجيش السوداني؟.. الإجابة في 8 نقاط". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-11-11.