Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Welcomes Noor al-Quba’s Defection From RSF to Sudanese Army

Sudan’s Sovereign Council chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcomed the defection of a senior Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander to the Sudanese Armed Forces, a move described across multiple reports as a major split within the RSF.

“Yesterday, Sunday, Sudan's Sovereign Council chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan welcomed the defection to the Sudanese Armed Forces of RSF leader and former commander Lieutenant General Al-Nour al-Quba”

Al-Jazeera Net

Al Jazeera Net said Burhan “welcomed the defection to the Sudanese Armed Forces of RSF leader and former commander Lieutenant General Al-Nour al-Quba,” adding that “the doors are wide open to anyone who wishes to lay down arms and join the national-building march.”

Al-Jazeera Net

The same report said Burhan received al-Quba in the Northern State, according to a statement from the Sovereign Council, and that al-Quba arrived in the city of Dongola in the Northern State coming from Katum locality in North Darfur State.

Middle East Monitor similarly reported that Burhan “welcomed the defection of a senior commander from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), al-Nour al-Qubba, and his decision to join the army,” citing a Sovereign Council statement.

Devdiscourse framed the event as “Maj. Gen. al-Nour Ahmed Adam, who recently left the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was welcomed by army chief Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan,” and said the defection “intensif[ied] the country’s ongoing conflict.”

The National added that a video “purported to show Gen Adam, also known as Al Qouba, arriving in the northern city of Donqola and being received by senior army officers,” while Sudan Tribune-linked reporting in Sudan Tribune said Noor al-Quba “defected and joined the army.”

Multiple reports tied the defection to earlier internal disputes inside the RSF and to the aftermath of the RSF capture of El Fasher.

Al Jazeera Net said al-Quba’s role “stood out notably in the April 2023 war,” when he was “among the most prominent commanders who participated in the battles of El-Fashir in North Darfur,” and it also described an earlier defection by RSF commander Abu Aqila Kiikil in October 2024.

Andbandant Al-Arabiyya

It further said that “In early April this year, al-Quba defected from the RSF after 'disagreements stemming from his grievance at not being chosen as a military commander for North Darfur state, after the capture of El Fasher on 26 October 2025, in addition to neglect of his forces and discrimination against them', according to Sudanese media.”

Middle East Monitor similarly said al-Qubba defected earlier this month “following disputes within the RSF,” linking them to “his dissatisfaction at not being appointed military commander of North Darfur after the capture of El Fasher on 26 October 2025,” and “complaints about the neglect of his forces and alleged discrimination against them.”

Devdiscourse described the same trigger in different terms, saying “Adam, known as al-Qubba, cited disputes with the RSF leadership as a key reason for his defection,” and that “The tension arose after the military failed to appoint him as a commander in North Darfur following the RSF's control over el-Fasher city.”

Sudan Tribune reporting in Sudan Tribune added that Noor al-Quba was “discontent with not being chosen as the military governor for North Darfur after Fasher came under RSF control on October 26, 2025,” when “the RSF appointed Jedo Ibnshouk as commander instead of him.”

The defection was accompanied by statements and reactions that reflected both army-aligned messaging and RSF-linked criticism.

Al Jazeera Net quoted Burhan’s framing that “the doors are wide open to anyone who wishes to lay down arms and join the national-building march,” and it said Burhan received al-Quba in the Northern State.

The National described that “the army-led Sovereign Council said the defecting general, Al Nour Ahmed Adam, was welcomed in the country's north by Sudan's army chief and de facto ruler Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan,” and it cited a video “purported to show Gen Adam, also known as Al Qouba, arriving in the northern city of Donqola.”

Sudan Tribune added that “People close to Musa Hilal confirmed Noor al-Quba’s defection but refused to provide details,” while also reporting that Musa Hilal “pressured him, hastening his defection from the RSF and his joining the army.”

Within RSF circles, Sudan Tribune quoted senior field commander Ali Zurq Allah “Al-Safna” saying there are “ramifications” that push “a person to choose death over life,” and it reported that he said “the RSF leadership ignored Noor al-Quba.”

In a separate message carried by عكاظ, “Al-Noor Al-Quba’s message to Hemeti Sudanese people circulated” and included the line: “I did not betray, but time betrayed me by making me diminish my known stature among my tribe,” while it also attacked Hemeti as “a 'donkey thief' who was arrested by the government.”

Coverage of the defection diverged in how it described certainty, scale, and immediate impact, with some outlets emphasizing official reception while others stressed that reports were not confirmed.

Al Jazeera Net and Middle East Monitor both treated the defection as an established event, describing Burhan’s reception of al-Quba and citing Sovereign Council statements, with Al Jazeera Net saying Burhan welcomed the defection and that al-Quba arrived in Dongola.

Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat

The National also treated the event as effectively confirmed, describing the army-led Sovereign Council’s welcome and referencing a video “purported to show Gen Adam, also known as Al Qouba, arriving in the northern city of Donqola.”

In contrast, سودافاكس framed the development as “reports have revealed” and said “The reports have not been officially confirmed yet,” while adding that “It is expected that the picture will become clear in the coming hours or days.”

Devdiscourse described the defection in dramatic terms, saying it was “a dramatic turn of events” and that it “intensif[ied] the country’s ongoing conflict,” while also repeating that Maj. Gen. al-Nour Ahmed Adam “was welcomed by army chief Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan.”

Meanwhile, nabdapp and other West Asian media described the defection as part of a wider set of changes, saying “Media Platforms announced the defection” while also noting that “Army Chief Abdel Fattah Burhan issued decrees retiring dozens of senior officers and promoting others.”

Beyond the military implications, the sources situate the defection inside a war that has already produced mass casualties and displacement, and they connect the conflict to famine and hunger.

“In a dramatic turn of events, a high-profile paramilitary commander has defected to Sudan's national army, intensifying the country's ongoing conflict”

Devdiscourse

Al Jazeera Net said that “The Sudanese army and the RSF have been fighting since mid-April 2023,” spanning “13 states out of 18,” and it added that the fighting has left “more than 20,000 dead and about 10 million displaced or refugees, according to the United Nations.”

Devdiscourse

Middle East Monitor similarly described the conflict as triggering “one of the world’s worst famine crises,” saying it “killed tens of thousands of people, and displaced around 13 million, according to estimates.”

Devdiscourse gave a different casualty figure, stating that “The conflict has resulted in the deaths of nearly 59,000 people,” and it linked that to “severe humanitarian impact on the region.”

Sudan Tribune’s account added that Noor al-Quba heads the “Peace Shield” mobile force, “affiliated with the RSF,” and said the unit was “formed in January 2021 to protect civilians in Darfur after the withdrawal of the United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).”

The same Sudan Tribune text also said the mobile force was formed “before the war broke out on April 15, 2023,” when “the state still considered the RSF a regular force,” and it tied the defection to the RSF’s control of Fasher on “October 26, 2025.”