Sudan’s army, RSF, locked in volatile battle for strategic Kordofan region

The town of Um Sumeima in North Kordofan has changed hands three times in recent weeks, underscoring the fluid nature of the front line. The RSF recaptured the town on Friday, just days after it was taken by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied groups.

A high-ranking army officer told Sudan Tribune that the Kordofan region is decisive to the war’s outcome as it links central Sudan with the western region of Darfur. “Control of Kordofan for any party means securing the road to Darfur, which is why the parties are fighting tooth and nail here,” the officer said, adding that he expected a prolonged battle for the area.

Military expert Motasim Abdel Qader told Sudan Tribune that the region’s vast, open plains allow for rapid troop movements but also require significant manpower to secure, contributing to the fluctuating control.

Drones have become a key weapon in the fight. A military source told Sudan Tribune that the capabilities of both sides are “nearly equal” after the RSF acquired advanced air defence systems that have challenged the army’s traditional air superiority.

According to information obtained by Sudan Tribune, about 2,500 combat vehicles are active in the region. The army and its allies deploy around 1,500 vehicles, compared to 1,000 for the RSF, which maintains a secure supply line stretching from its stronghold in Darfur.

The focus of the campaign for both sides appears to be the city of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. An expert told Sudan Tribune that an RSF capture of the city would mark “a new phase” in the war, while a successful army push west from the city would put it in a more “comfortable” position.

A military source described the current threat to El-Obeid as ongoing, even as its defences have recently improved.