The Sudanese army expands its control at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces in Kordofan
Quick Look
The Sudanese army announced the recovery of the Hamrat al-Waz area in North Kordofan after battles with the Rapid Support Forces, which strengthens its control over the vital export route and comes within the framework of a noticeable expansion of the government at the expense of the Rapid Support in the center of the country, Kordofan and Darfur, amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting over 33 million people.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Sudan has been witnessing a war since April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has led to a massive humanitarian crisis and the displacement of millions of people, with fighting concentrated in the Kordofan and Darfur regions.
The Sudanese army expands its control at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces in Kordofan
Author, Ahmed Al-Khatib
Role, BBC
Published 11 minutes ago
Reading time: 3 minutes
The Sudanese army announced the strengthening of its control in North Kordofan state, by reclaiming the Hamrat al-Waz area of Jabrat al-Sheikh locality, after battles with the Rapid Support Forces, in the latest advance by government forces and their allies in the state.
Regarding the latest advance by government forces and their allies in Sudan, military sources confirmed to the BBC that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces suffered “losses of life and equipment,” forcing the latter to withdraw towards the areas of Western Kordofan.
Members of the government forces published pictures on social media platforms showing control of the Hamrat al-Waz area, which observers believe would pave the way for control of other areas in the north and west of North Kordofan state.
The Rapid Support Forces, for their part, have not yet commented on reports of their withdrawal from the region.
On July 25, government forces announced the recovery of large areas in North Kordofan in a lightning military operation, which included parts of the vital export route.
A Sudanese army field commander told the BBC that the forces are working to increase the comprehensive security of the export route linking Khartoum State and North Kordofan State, and “fill the gaps,” and then open up westward towards the areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces in West Kordofan.
The military source indicated that the government forces and their allies were able to neutralize a number of drone platforms that were launching from areas located on the border of North and West Kordofan, which allowed for easy advance by the government forces.
These movements coincide with continuous drone attacks launched by the Rapid Support Forces, targeting the movements of government forces on the vital export route.
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Strategic importance
The three states of the Kordofan region, North, West and South Kordofan, have witnessed confrontations between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces since last October.
The Kordofan region enjoys strategic importance by virtue of its geographical location as a pivotal link in central Sudan and a link between the east and west and the north and south of the country, and controlling it ensures the strengthening of its owner’s position in the conflict, according to military experts.
Observers consider the Kordofan region, located west of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to be a decisive battleground in this war that has been raging for more than three years.
The Rapid Support Forces and allied forces control most of the Darfur region, with the exception of areas in the north and west of the region where government forces and allied forces are stationed.
Government forces control the capital, Khartoum, the eastern, northern and central states of Sudan.
In the areas of conflict between the two parties, recent months have witnessed a noticeable expansion in the areas under the control of government forces at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces, especially in the center of the country, Kordofan, and Darfur.
Humanitarian catastrophe
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The war, which Sudan has been witnessing since April 15, 2023, has caused one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world, leaving more than 33 million people in need of basic aid.
UN estimates indicate that about 19.5 million people face “severe hunger” in Sudan, while about 12 million people were forced to flee their homes, and tens of thousands have been killed so far.
Last July, the World Health Organization monitored about 1,330 confirmed cases of cholera and 114 deaths from cholera since the outbreak of war in Sudan.
The United Nations estimates that more than 12 million women and girls in Sudan are at risk of sexual violence.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Sudanese army will continue to expand its control in Kordofan to consolidate control of the export route
Likely · Within weeks
Drone attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on government troop movements will continue
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will government forces continue to expand their control westward towards RSF-controlled areas in Kordofan?
- How will controlling the export route affect humanitarian aid supplies?
- Will the Rapid Support Forces respond to repeated drone attacks with a similar escalation?
