The development marks one of the most volatile shifts on the western front since the escalation of Sudan’s civil conflict in 2023.

Governor Minni Arko Minnawi, said in an on-the-record statement Saturday that government-aligned forces had "fully restored authority” in Al-Tina after what he described as "grave violations” committed during the RSF’s short-lived takeover. 

Minnawi accused the RSF of targeting civilians "on ethnic and racial grounds,” alleging that the group’s actions amounted to crimes against humanity. His claims align with previous findings by United Nations investigators documenting similar abuses across Darfur, though independent verification of Saturday’s events remains limited due to restricted access.

According to Minnawi, the RSF incursion reflects a broader strategy to forcibly displace communities in Darfur and "impose a new demographic reality through violence and coercion.” While the RSF has consistently denied engaging in ethnically motivated attacks, rights groups have repeatedly warned that civilians—particularly non-Arab communities—face heightened risks amid the power vacuum left by the breakdown of state institutions.

Minnawi praised local resistance committees and mobilized community fighters who, he said, "stood as a defensive barrier” against the assault. His remarks underscore the increasing reliance of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and allied authorities on irregular local forces as the war stretches into its second year.

Analysts note that control of border towns such as Al-Tina remains strategically significant because they serve as transit points for refugees, trade, and weapons flows. Saturday’s clashes highlight the fragility of territorial control in Darfur and the continued humanitarian toll on civilians caught between shifting frontlines.