Sudanese Army Launches Renewed Effort to Retake Kordofan Region from Rebels

Sudanese Government-Backed Forces Plan Large-Scale Operation Against Rapid Support Forces

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have announced plans to launch a major operation against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the goal of retaking control of the Kordofan and Darfur regions. The SAF has been assessing the RSF’s capabilities and resources, and has made significant preparations for the operation.

According to reports from Al Jazeera, the SAF has reorganized and redeployed troops in various parts of the Kordofan region, and has launched air strikes and drone strikes on RSF positions in Darfur and Kordofan. The SAF claims to have inflicted heavy losses on the RSF during these operations, including destroying approximately 240 combat vehicles and killing hundreds of fighters.

The SAF has also reported that its ground forces have pushed RSF fighters out of wide areas in both Darfur and Kordofan, with ongoing operations to pursue remaining elements. The Darfur Governor, Minni Arko Minnawi, has stated that recent military action by the SAF has prevented the RSF from laying siege on North Kordofan’s capital, el-Obeid.

However, some residents of Kordofan have expressed skepticism about the SAF’s claims, and are calling for more definitive action to be taken. The conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant displacement and humanitarian crises, with over 33 million people facing starvation and 11 million displaced internally and abroad.

The United Nations has described the situation as a “crime scene” after gaining access to el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, which was seized by the RSF in October. The conflict has been ongoing for over three years, with both sides accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Source: Al Jazeera