Sudan’s RSF paramilitaries seize strategic West Kordofan city Al-Nuhud
May 2, 2025 (AL-NUHUD) – Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) completed their capture of Al-Nuhud, West Kordofan state’s largest city and strategic hub, on Friday, the group said, after the regular army withdrew towards a nearby town.
The assault began on Thursday when an RSF force with around 300 military vehicles attacked Al-Nuhud. Since the RSF took the official capital, Al-Fulah, last year, Al-Nuhud has served as West Kordofan’s temporary administrative capital.
Local sources said the RSF seized most of the city, including government buildings and banks, forcing the army and allied fighters to initially retreat eastward to the 18th Infantry Brigade headquarters.
RSF field commanders announced they subsequently captured the brigade headquarters, describing it in video statements as “the last stronghold of the Army in Al-Nuhud.” The RSF released videos showing fighters inside the captured army base, which Sudan Tribune news verified.
Local sources told Sudan Tribune that RSF commanders, including Ali Rizqallah “Al-Savanna”, prevented civilians from fleeing Al-Nuhud and ordered those already on the roads back to their homes. Thousands had been planning to escape eastward towards the towns of Al-Khuwayy and El-Obeid, the sources said.
RSF commanders pledged to secure the city and target armed groups responsible for looting and attacks on civilians, according to the sources. Addressing civilians attempting to leave, one commander was quoted as saying: “You must stay in your homes… We have no problem with you. Our main problem is with the Army, the ‘Feloul’ [remnants of the ousted regime], and the ‘Kizan’ [Islamists linked to the former government].”
Al-Nuhud sits on a key route connecting Sudan’s Kordofan states with the western Darfur region. The city is a homeland for the influential Hamar ethnic group and an important commercial hub known for groundnut and gum arabic production. It also hosts one of Sudan’s largest livestock markets.
REPORTS OF VIOLATIONS
Despite the commanders’ assurances, witnesses reported widespread looting allegedly by RSF fighters continuing for a second day, targeting the city market, homes and government buildings. Dozens of vehicles loaded with looted goods were reportedly seen heading west, the witnesses said.
Witnesses also spoke of killings targeting civilians inside their homes, allegedly carried out by RSF soldiers. Victims reportedly included leaders from the Hamar tribe, Radio Biladi journalist al-Hassan Fadlallah, teachers, and police officers.
Dozens more civilians were reportedly arrested and tortured on suspicion of supporting the army, the witnesses added.
Following Al-Nuhud’s fall, the army’s presence in West Kordofan state appears limited mainly to Babanusa – home to the 22nd Infantry Division command – and the oil-producing centre of Heglig near the border with South Sudan.
Tribal fighters loyal to the army also remain in Al-Khuwayy, the town towards which the army withdrew from Al-Nuhud. Al-Khuwayy has previously suffered RSF attacks, which locals attributed to looting.