RSF seize North Darfur’s Al-Maliha, bracing for counteroffensive

March 22, 2025 (EL FASHER) – Eyewitnesses in Al-Maliha, located 210 kilometres northeast of El Fasher, reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have deployed their checkpoints within the city, hours after taking control of it.

Witnesses reported clashes on Friday, while Saturday saw limited skirmishes as attempts were made to regain control of the town. The RSF repelled these attempts while both sides mobilized military forces on the city’s outskirts.

The RSF announced their control over Al-Maliha the day before yesterday before imposing a siege on it.

According to a source in the Joint Forces speaking to Sudan Tribune, the RSF swept into the town from three axes: the south and southwest, where Central Reserve Forces and volunteers allied with the army are stationed, and the north and northeast, along with parts of the northwest, where the Joint Forces are positioned.

Due to its strategic location, Al-Maliha is considered a major stronghold for the Joint Forces and the army. It serves as a crossroads between Al-Dabbah to the north, Hamrat al-Sheikh in North Kordofan to the east, and El Fasher to the south.

A source in the Joint Forces told Sudan Tribune that the RSF invaded the town with approximately 700 combat vehicles. Clashes erupted yesterday between the Joint Forces outside the city and the RSF inside, but the RSF repelled the attack. A Joint Forces commander, Abdullah Banda, was injured, according to a source within the Joint Force.

Abdallah Banda joined the Joint Forces since the beginning of the siege of El Fasher. He is a former commander of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), who defected and formed an independent faction. He is one of six individuals the International Criminal Court (ICC) wanted.

Military sources anticipate the battles in Al-Maliha will intensify in the next two days after observing Joint Forces reinforcements arriving from Al-Dabbah in northern Sudan.