Sudan army confirms death of 22nd Division’s second commander in Babanusa

December 12, 2025 (BABANUSA) – The Sudanese army announced on Friday the death of Major General Abdel Majid Ahmed Al-Haj, the second commander of the 22nd Infantry Division in Babanusa, while the fate of the division’s top commander remains unclear.

The announcement comes amidst speculation that the division commander, Major General Muawiya Hamad, was killed during a withdrawal to the south.

On December 1, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the 22nd Infantry Division, the army’s headquarters in West Kordofan State, following fierce battles. The army withdrew south towards Heglig, vacated positions there, and crossed into South Sudan.

The official Air Defence Forces Facebook page mourned Al-Haj, stating he “departed facing the enemy, not fleeing, steadfast in the fighting trenches, performing his duty with the courage of men.”

The army has not commented on Hamad’s fate, despite RSF-affiliated platforms publishing images of a slain officer they claimed was the division commander.

On December 2, Sudan Tribune reported, citing military sources, that the RSF ambushed an army convoy withdrawing from Babanusa. The attack resulted in the deaths of several senior officers, including the division’s second-in-command and the commander of the 170th Artillery Brigade, along with several soldiers.

Sources added that Brigadier General Hassan Darmoud, commander of the 89th Brigade, survived and reached South Sudan with a group of officers and soldiers. He appeared in a video clip being received by commanders of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces.