Sudan paramilitaries seize Darfur cities in major advance, amid massacres

Sudanese paramilitaries and allied militias have seized control of cities in the western region of Darfur from the government army, with mass killings reported in one regional capital and at a camp for displaced families, eyewitnesses said.

The capture of the cities, previously divided between the militias and the army, is the most significant military breakthrough by the Rapid Support Forces since the war began seven months ago, and threatens to usher in a new chapter of violence by drawing in forces that have previously kept aloof from the fighting.

Three of the five regional capitals have fallen in quick succession over the past two weeks: Nyala, Geneina and Zalingei. Major military bases have also been captured or deserted, with soldiers fleeing across the border into Chad.