Sudan: Sudanese army forces entered the strategic town of Al-Kurmuk in eastern Sudan after battles with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), military sources told Anadolu.

According to Anadolu Agency, the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that army forces and allied units took control of Al-Kurmuk following a series of military operations against RSF and SPLM-N fighters. This strategic advancement marks a significant achievement for the Sudanese army, as they have recently regained territory in Blue Nile state, capturing several areas close to the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Al-Kurmuk, one of the largest towns in Blue Nile state alongside the state capital, Ad-Damazin, holds strategic importance due to its location near the Ethiopian border. The town serves as a crucial point for controlling military supply routes and road links connecting Sudan with neighboring countries Ethiopia and South Sudan. The RSF and SPLM-N had seized control of Al-Kurmuk on March 24, making this recapture a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict.

The Sudanese army maintains control over significant portions of Blue Nile state, while the SPLM-N has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with the government since 2011, advocating for self-rule in the regions of South Kordofan and Blue Nile. The broader conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023, centered around the contentious integration of the RSF into the military. This conflict has escalated into a severe humanitarian crisis, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of nearly 13 million people.