Sudan army launches offensive near Ethiopian border, captures rebel stronghold

June 23, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army launched a large-scale clearing operation on Tuesday in the Geissan district of the Blue Nile region, capturing a key rebel stronghold near the Ethiopian border, military officials said.

The operation, carried out by the 13th Infantry Brigade of the Fourth Infantry Division, targeted areas extending past Abu Dugla and Ashambo, located just one kilometre from the international border. Government forces stormed and seized control of the Al-Bar area, a major outpost for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) faction led by Joseph Touka.

Battles have intensified in the strategic border districts of Kurmuk and Geissan, where the Sudanese army is fighting a coalition consisting of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the SPLM-N. Sudan has accused Ethiopia of providing logistical support to the alliance in the Blue Nile region.

Military sources told Sudan Tribune that army troops and allied forces would continue to pursue the rebels and clear the region up to the international border with Ethiopia. The army statement added that the operation resulted in the capture of several rebel fighters and the seizure of weapons and military equipment.

The military offensive aims to blunt rebel movements toward Geissan and recapture the strategic border town of Kurmuk, which has been controlled by the joint RSF and SPLM-N forces since March.

Kurmuk and Geissan are located roughly 150 kilometres and 200 kilometres southeast of Ed Damazin, respectively, with about 100 kilometres separating the two border towns.

The area has a long history of conflict, having served as a major battleground for 22 years during the civil war between Khartoum and the late John Garang’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army before a peace deal was struck in 2005.