The Rapid Support Forces have captured Babanusa, the last stronghold of the Sudanese Armed Forces in West Kordofan state, marking a significant military victory for the paramilitary group in the devastating civil war that has engulfed the northeast African nation. The fall of Babanusa represents a major strategic setback for the Sudanese military and government forces.
Babanusa, a crucial railway junction and commercial hub, had been held by government forces since the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese military and the RSF in April 2023. The loss of the city gives the RSF control over a strategically important region and further fragments the territory under government control.
The capture follows months of intense fighting in West Kordofan, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Humanitarian organizations have warned of a catastrophic situation for civilians caught in the crossfire, with thousands displaced by the latest offensive and limited access to food, water, and medical care.
The RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has made significant territorial gains since the conflict began, controlling large portions of the Darfur region and other areas in western Sudan. The group's military successes have shifted the balance of power in the ongoing civil war.
The Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have struggled to maintain control of key population centers as the RSF has expanded its military operations. The government has appealed for international support while accusing foreign actors of backing the paramilitary group.
International mediators have repeatedly attempted to broker ceasefires between the warring parties, but all previous agreements have collapsed within days. The United Nations and African Union have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations, warning that the conflict threatens regional stability.
The civil war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of Sudanese displaced internally or fleeing to neighboring countries. Aid agencies have reported widespread hunger and disease outbreaks in areas affected by the fighting, with limited humanitarian access hampering relief efforts.
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