Sudanese Army Launches Surprise Strikes on RSF Positions in Kordofan and Darfur

Sudanhorizon – Agencies
In a surprise development, the Sudanese army carried out intensive air strikes on Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions in the regions of Kordofan and Darfur, targeting cross-border logistical supplies as well as gatherings and mobilisations that were reportedly preparing to advance towards army-controlled towns in Kordofan—particularly in its northern areas—and in Darfur near the far western border with Chad.
In recent days, the army has concentrated its surprise strikes on several locations in eastern Kordofan, particularly Jabra Al-Sheikh, Umm Sayala, and Umm Qarfa.
The air strikes reportedly inflicted significant losses on the RSF, especially among military vehicles, some of which were seen burning with flames rising from them.
Heavy Damage
A source within the Sudanese army told Al Jazeera Net that the armed forces are working to reclaim all territories in North Kordofan State, particularly those in its eastern areas bordering Khartoum State, including Jabra Al-Sheikh.
The source added that the army had inflicted heavy damage on RSF forces in North Kordofan, culminating in the recapture last week of Bara, the state’s second-largest city.
According to the source, the air strikes have tightened the pressure on RSF units in Jabra Al-Sheikh and Umm Sayala, predicting that rapid assault operations could soon be launched to retake those towns at any moment.
He emphasised the army’s determination to “clear all towns in eastern Kordofan and fully secure the rear of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.”
Drone Operations in West Kordofan
Meanwhile, the army’s drone forces carried out what were described as the most intense and extensive attacks during the past week.
A military source told Al Jazeera Net that the armed forces had succeeded in destroying the RSF’s core combat strength in West Kordofan State, which is largely under RSF control.
According to the source, drones struck RSF positions in several towns, including:
Al-Fula
Al-Nuhud
Abu Zabad
Al-Sunut
Al-Mujlad
Babanusa
The strikes reportedly destroyed more than 100 combat vehicles, along with ammunition and fuel estimated at thousands of litres.
The same source indicated that after securing large areas of Kordofan, the army plans to advance westwards from its strongholds in Kadugli and Dilling, suggesting that operations to retake West Kordofan will likely proceed along multiple axes, particularly after what he described as stripping the RSF of its “core combat capabilities” in the region through aerial strikes.
He also revealed a growing reluctance among young people in West Kordofan to join RSF ranks following the strikes. According to him, the RSF is facing serious financial difficulties, including the inability to treat wounded fighters and failure to pay salaries for three months, leading many combatants to abandon the fighting and forcing the group to rely on mercenaries.
Intensified Strikes in Darfur
Although the RSF maintains near-complete control over most of the Darfur region, the Sudanese army has continued to pursue the group through air operations, alongside ground fighting in the Al-Tina locality, near the border with Chad, which remains under the army’s control and allied armed movements.
Between last week and the beginning of the current week, wide areas of Darfur experienced heavy air strikes, most notably in the town of Adikonq, near the Adré border crossing with Chad.
A military source told Al Jazeera Net that the army managed last week to destroy an RSF logistical convoy carrying ammunition and fuel arriving from a neighbouring country. After the convoy crossed the border last Thursday, drones reportedly pursued it and “reduced it to ashes” at the entrance to the town.
RSF Offensive Thwarted
Air strikes did not stop at Adikonq. On Friday, RSF forces were reportedly preparing a surprise attack on Al-Tina locality along the Chadian border.
RSF fighters had assembled in West Darfur State, particularly in the towns of:
Kalbas
Sali’ah
Jarjiera
Forbranga
However, army drones launched surprise strikes against gatherings in Sali’ah, Forbranga, and Kalbas, forcing RSF forces to abandon the planned attack on Al-Tina, which remains the army’s only stronghold in Darfur.
A senior security source told Al Jazeera Net that drone strikes inflicted extensive damage on RSF elements in West Darfur.
He stated that the strikes killed a prominent RSF field commander, Major-General Abdul Rahim Bahr, who had reportedly been responsible for recruiting mercenaries from neighbouring countries and leading battles in several areas. The source added that more than 73 RSF fighters were killed in the region on Thursday and Friday, while ammunition and fuel supplies were also destroyed.
Declining Supply Lines
There are indications that the RSF is experiencing a decline in logistical support. Nyala Airport in South Darfur, which had previously received air supplies on a near-daily basis, has reportedly come under the range of Sudanese army air strikes.
Two local sources in Nyala told Al Jazeera Net they heard powerful explosions near the airport, accompanied by rising columns of smoke from the area surrounding the facility.
The airport, which is controlled by RSF forces, has reportedly been placed under tight security, with photography prohibited.
Some observers suggest that the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has contributed to a reduction in RSF supply lines, which had allegedly received support from certain regional actors.
Retired Major-General Jamal Al-Shaheed told Al Jazeera Net that the war and the accompanying regional tensions have begun to affect the indirect supply networks supporting the RSF.
He explained:
“This militia has never relied primarily on its own capabilities but rather on cross-border networks of funding and support. When regional powers become preoccupied with larger security crises, the lines of financing and logistical assistance inevitably become more fragile and complicated.”

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