Sudanese army says it seized two areas in North Kordofan from RSF

July 7, 2025 (EL-OBEID) – Sudan’s army said on Monday it had captured two areas in North Kordofan state from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), signalling a potential escalation of the conflict in the strategic central region.

The advance in the areas of “Al-Riash” and “Kazgail” could foreshadow a broader army push into neighbouring West and South Kordofan states, which the RSF has largely dominated.

“With God’s help… the Al-Sayyad mobile unit has defeated the remnants of the Daglo militia in Al-Riash and Kazgail… after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy,” army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah said in a statement.

The army refers to the RSF as the militia of the Daglo family, which leads the group.

The RSF, which had captured Kazgail in late May, was sending military reinforcements to the region to try and halt the army’s advance, according to local reports.

Fighting in South and West Kordofan in May and June has already forced thousands of civilians to flee to the state capital, El-Obeid. Aid agencies say the displaced are living in dire humanitarian conditions with a severe lack of assistance.