Sudan's RSF says it captured key town near Ethiopian and South Sudan borders

Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced the capture of Al Kurmuk, a strategically important southern town near the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan. This is the second town in Blue Nile State to be captured by the group in a week, indicating a concerted effort to push Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) out of the region.

The RSF has not disclosed casualty figures but mentioned that SAF combatants were chased out of the town and large amounts of hardware and ammunition were seized. Videos shared online showed RSF fighters celebrating the capture. Previously, the RSF had seized Qayssan, another town in Blue Nile State, in alliance with a powerful rebel group.

The SAF has yet to comment on the loss of these two towns. Al Kurmuk's strategic significance lies in its proximity to Ethiopia and South Sudan, as well as its distance from the Roseires Dam, a crucial power source for the country. The capture of these towns follows recent SAF victories in Kordofan, a central region where the majority of recent fighting has occurred since the army lost its last stronghold in Darfur last year.

Sudan's civil war began in April 2023 following tensions between Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and Gen Mohamed Dagalo. Over four years, the conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, around 14 million displacements, and is now considered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 20 million people facing hunger. Al Shafie Ahmed reported this from Kampala, Uganda.