RSF seizes strategic city in Sudan’s North Kordofan, town on Chad border

March 16, 2026 (BARA) – Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Monday seized the strategic city of Bara in North Kordofan and the border town of Karnoi in North Darfur, as the paramilitary group expands its offensive across the country’s western and central regions.

Bara, the second-largest city in North Kordofan, sits approximately 45 kilometres (28 miles) east of the state capital, El Obeid. The city has become a focal point of the conflict, having been recaptured by the Sudanese army only 10 days ago before falling again to the RSF in a dawn assault.

Local sources said the RSF deployed dozens of combat vehicles, drones, and artillery in the attack, forcing the military and its allied Joint Force to retreat toward the town of Al-Dankoj.

In a statement, an RSF spokesperson said the takeover was part of a broader military strategy to target remaining army strongholds. The group claimed it killed 500 soldiers and captured 45 vehicles, though Reuters was unable to verify the casualty figures.

The Joint Force of armed movements, which fights alongside the regular army, had previously reported an increase in drone strikes in the area before the city’s fall.

In North Darfur, the RSF also announced it had taken full control of Karnoi, a town near the border with Chad. The group described the operation as a “lightning” offensive against the army and its supporters.

Karnoi is considered one of the final outposts for the military and its allies in that sector of North Darfur. The RSF pledged to ensure civilian safety and urged residents to cooperate with temporary security measures.

Meanwhile, further south, the Sudanese army said it repelled a major attack on Dilling, the second-largest city in South Kordofan.

Military sources said the assault on Dilling was a joint operation by the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu. The army reported it had inflicted significant losses on the attacking forces and destroyed several vehicles.

The RSF-SPLM alliance has recently stepped up artillery fire on Dilling, causing civilian deaths and damaging vital infrastructure, according to local reports.