Khartoum: The Sudanese army on Thursday successfully repelled an assault by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Jabra al-Sheikh area of North Kordofan state. This development is part of ongoing clashes between the two factions, with reports also indicating continued fighting in Blue Nile state.
According to Anadolu Agency, military sources disclosed that the RSF initiated an attack on Jabra al-Sheikh and its surrounding villages early Thursday morning. The army, along with allied forces, was able to fend off the attack, inflicting considerable losses on the RSF in terms of both personnel and equipment. The army is reportedly pursuing RSF members who retreated from the battlefield.
Members of the army-aligned Joint Force released video footage from Jabra al-Sheikh, proclaiming their victory over the RSF attackers. This follows an earlier announcement on July 26 by the Sudanese army, stating that they had gained control over the towns of Bara, Jabra al-Sheikh, and Umm Sayyala in North Kordofan after engagements with the RSF.
The Kordofan region, comprising North, West, and South Kordofan states, has experienced ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF since October 2025. In a separate but related incident, the RSF announced on Thursday that they had seized control of Kurmuk city in Blue Nile state after battles with the army.
The RSF described Kurmuk as a 'strategic' location, asserting that they had caused significant losses to army forces. Kurmuk, a major city in Blue Nile along with the capital Damazin, holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the Ethiopian border, controlling critical supply lines and military routes.
Previously, on July 8, the Sudanese army declared they had retaken Kurmuk after nearly three months under RSF control, during which time the RSF was allied with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. The Sudanese army maintains control over large segments of Blue Nile state, while the Sudan People's Liberation Movement has been in conflict with the government since 2011, seeking autonomy for South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, originated from disagreements over the integration of the paramilitary force into the national military. This war has resulted in over 20,000 fatalities and displaced approximately 15 million people as internally displaced persons and refugees. While the UN and local authorities provided these figures, a 2024 study by US universities estimated the death toll to be around 130,000.