Sudanese paramilitary sends huge reinforcements to West Darfur town, sources say
July 9, 2026 (KULBUS) – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have deployed massive military reinforcements to the outskirts of Kulbus in West Darfur State, local sources and eyewitnesses said on Thursday.
The movements were described as unprecedented amid expectations of a large-scale ground assault on the town within the coming hours.
On June 29, the Joint Force allied with the Sudanese army announced the liberation of Kulbus following fierce battles against the RSF.
The recapture of the town came nearly two years after the RSF seized control of it in October 2024, following violent clashes with the Joint Force.
Local sources told Sudan Tribune that the RSF spent the entire week transporting large numbers of combat vehicles and armoured cars from El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State, to northern areas of the state as part of an ongoing military buildup.
The sources added that additional reinforcements arrived from the Saraf Omra and Kabkabiya areas in North Darfur State, coinciding with movements toward Abu Liha, Abu Qamra, and Wadi Seira.
They noted that these forces are preparing to launch attacks on Kulbus in West Darfur and Tine in North Darfur.
According to the sources, the RSF forced residents of about eight villages located along the road linking the Um Baru and Tine localities in North Darfur to flee into Chadian territory this week, after burning down houses, markets, and water sources.
The sources revealed that a large RSF force has stationed itself in the southern region of Jebel Moon in West Darfur State, alongside other gatherings in the Halilat area, located about 30 kilometers east of Kulbus, in movements aimed at storming the town.
Kulbus, located 130 kilometers north of El Geneina, is the historical stronghold of the Gimir tribe and houses the main headquarters of the tribal sultanate.
During the RSF expansion in West Darfur after the outbreak of the war in 2023, the leadership of the sultanate succeeded in reaching an agreement that prevented attacks on the town, despite the RSF controlling several villages and towns in the state at the time, before Kulbus eventually fell to them in October 2024.