In a significant military development, the Sudanese army announced on Thursday that it has successfully reclaimed the city of Umm Rawaba in North Kordofan from the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This strategic location had been under RSF control since May 2023 and is a vital hub on the highway that connects North Kordofan with central Sudan. Positioned approximately 480 kilometers southwest of Khartoum, Umm Rawaba is the second-largest city in the state, making its recapture a notable achievement for the army.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has pitted army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former ally, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the RSF. This strained relationship has escalated into a full-blown war, resulting in widespread devastation and displacement across the country.
As part of its broader military campaign, the army has reported recent advances in other key areas, including the northern regions of Khartoum, known as Bahri. A military source revealed to AFP that the army had regained full control over central and southern parts of Bahri, including a critical bridge that links the area to central Khartoum.
Last week marked a significant turning point when the army succeeded in breaking a siege around its headquarters in Khartoum, which had been encircled by the RSF since the war’s inception. This recapture was highlighted as the army’s most considerable victory in Khartoum since it regained control of Omdurman, located on the Nile’s west bank, nearly a year ago.
The recent military successes underscore the army’s efforts to reclaim territory lost to paramilitary forces, including a notable recovery of Wad Madani, situated just south of Khartoum. This location serves as a critical crossroads for transportation and logistics between the capital and surrounding states, amplifying the strategic importance of these developments in the continuing conflict.
As the situation unfolds, the repercussions of these military maneuvers are likely to have significant implications for the power dynamics in Sudan and the broader humanitarian crisis that has emerged from the ongoing hostilities.
