Clashes have escalated in Sudan’s Kordofan region, with both the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claiming battlefield successes. The renewed fighting raises concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation and increasing risks to civilians.
According to a military source within the Sudanese army, drone strikes were conducted on Friday targeting RSF positions and those of their allies, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), in the Al-Faraqil and Al-Hajiz areas near Al-Dilling in South Kordofan. Separately, in North Kordofan, the army reported shooting down two RSF drones over Al-Ubayyid, the state capital.
Conversely, the RSF announced that they had taken control of the Burnu area, located east of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan. These claims and counter-claims reflect the intensity of the ongoing conflict in the Kordofan region.
Kordofan’s Strategic Importance: The Kordofan region, comprising three states rich in oil, gold, and agricultural land, is a key battleground. It serves as a vital link between army-controlled areas in the north, east, and center of Sudan and the Darfur region, largely under RSF control since late October.
The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently warned of increasing risks to civilians in Kordofan due to the intensified hostilities. The UN agency stated that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, leading to new waves of displacement. OCHA urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians, noting that the conflict has displaced over 1,700 people from several towns in South Kordofan in recent days.
US Calls for Truce: Amid the escalating violence, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for a humanitarian truce in Sudan. He emphasized that the New Year presents an opportunity for a cessation of hostilities to allow humanitarian organizations to deliver vital aid. Rubio stated that Washington’s immediate objective is to halt the fighting before the New Year and urged countries with influence to promote peace.
“We believe that the New Year and the upcoming holidays represent a great opportunity for both sides to agree to this, and we are doing our best in this regard,” Rubio stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need for a peaceful resolution.
