Heavy fighting has erupted in North Kordofan, southern Sudan, between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is facing renewed accusations of committing war crimes, specifically targeting the Zamzam camp for displaced persons in El Fasher, western Sudan.
Reports from El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, indicate that an RSF drone exploded near the army’s 5th Division base. El Obeid, located approximately 400 kilometers southwest of Khartoum, holds strategic importance due to its airport and its position at a crucial intersection connecting Khartoum with the Darfur region.
Clashes have also reignited in Babnusa, situated southwest of El Obeid. Babnusa represents the army’s last stronghold in West Kordofan. Recent footage released by the RSF purportedly shows its fighters inside the 22nd Infantry Division base, the army’s headquarters in the city. The RSF previously claimed to have “liberated” Babnusa after repelling what they described as a surprise attack by army units. However, the army denies losing control of the city, stating that its forces successfully thwarted a renewed RSF offensive.
The Sudanese Army has accused the RSF of launching daily drone and artillery strikes, despite the RSF’s unilateral declaration of a three-month humanitarian truce last week. Kordofan has become a major battleground as the army seeks to dislodge the RSF from the vital highway linking Khartoum to Darfur.
In El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, the Sudanese Doctors’ Committee reports that RSF forces killed four people, including a child, in the Al-Daraja neighborhood, highlighting the escalating threats to civilian lives.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) confirms that approximately 160 families fleeing violence in El Fasher have arrived in Rabak, the capital of White Nile State. These displaced families reportedly arrived with virtually nothing. The UNHCR, along with its partners, is providing essential supplies to address their immediate needs. The agency notes that more families are arriving in White Nile State, and humanitarian needs are continuously growing.
