Sudanese army claims recapture of strategic Blue Nile town from RSF

The Sudanese army has recaptured the town of Khor Hassan in southeastern Blue Nile state from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), asserting that the operation inflicted heavy losses on the paramilitary group in terms of personnel and equipment. The seizure, confirmed in a military statement on Friday, represents a significant tactical development in the civil war that has engulfed the nation since April 2023.

The operation is understood to be part of a broader strategic offensive aimed at retaking the nearby town of Kurmuk. Located near the Ethiopian border, Kurmuk serves as a critical gateway to central Sudan and a vital corridor for cross-border trade. It also provides access to the Al-Roseires Dam, a key piece of national infrastructure. Al Jazeera reporter Hiba Morgan, reporting from the region on Saturday, described Kurmuk as a garrison town that the RSF has utilised as a launchpad for further territorial gains.

Blue Nile state has emerged as a primary flashpoint in the conflict due to its geographical position and resource wealth. The state shares a border with Ethiopia and contains substantial deposits of natural resources, including gold. Its location provides the RSF with essential routes for resupplying its forces, making control of the area strategically vital for both combatants. The RSF had previously seized Khor Hassan in March with the support of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

The Sudanese government has accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF, allegations that both nations have denied. The conflict originated from a power struggle between General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the national army, and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, who commands the RSF. The war has resulted in severe humanitarian consequences, with more than 150,000 people killed and over 12 million displaced since its onset.

While the army claims significant gains, the exact scale of casualties and equipment losses inflicted on the RSF remains unverified by independent sources. The strategic impact of the recapture of Khor Hassan on the broader balance of power in Blue Nile state is yet to be fully determined, given the ongoing and fluid nature of the hostilities in the region.