Sudanese army breaks siege of 22nd infantry division in Babanusa

June 9, 2024 (BABANUSA) – The Sudanese army announced on Sunday that it had regained control of several neighbourhoods in the city of Babanusa, West Kordofan state, after a months-long siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the 22nd Infantry Division headquarters.

Since January, the RSF had attempted to seize control of the 22nd Infantry Division but faced stiff resistance from the army. The RSF suffered significant losses in personnel and equipment during their unsuccessful attempts, most recently at the end of last month.

The intense fighting in West Kordofan has displaced over 50,000 people, who are now living in dire conditions in displacement centres. The government has warned of an impending famine threatening those fleeing the conflict.

On Sunday, videos circulated on social media platforms affiliated with the armed forces showed soldiers patrolling areas surrounding the 22nd Infantry Division command.

A military source informed Sudan Tribune that the “armed forces were able to break the siege of the 22nd Infantry Division and combed the neighbourhoods of Al-Salam, Al-Posta, and Al-Sikka,” as well as the large and small markets, which had been under RSF control since January.

The assault on Babanusa coincided with a growing rift within the Misseriya tribe, the second-largest ethnic group from which many RSF soldiers and officers hail. In December, tribal leader Mukhtar Babu Nimr and other leaders warned the RSF against crossing Sudanese borders and destroying oil installations if they captured the main army command in West Kordofan.

Last weekend, a high-ranking Misseriya delegation from West Kordofan arrived in Port Sudan to declare their support for the armed forces and reject the RSF’s control of their territories.