Sudanese army launches heavy airstrikes on RSF positions in Kordofan

July 30, 2026 (EL OBEID) – The Sudanese air force launched a series of heavy airstrikes on Thursday targeting Rapid Support Forces (RSF) mobilizations and military positions across North and West Kordofan states, in one of the most intense aerial escalations since the war began.

Military sources and eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that warplanes and strategic drones conducted simultaneous strikes on RSF gatherings in North Kordofan areas including Um Badr, Sodari, Abu Zaima, Al-Jamama, and Al-Mazroub, before extending to Al-Khuwei and Al-Nuhud in West Kordofan.

The offensive follows a surprise ground operation by the Sudanese army and its allies on July 25 and 26, which secured control over Jabrat al-Sheikh, Bara, Um Sayala, Um Qirfa, and Jureijikh, granting the military full control over the vital Export road linking North Kordofan to Khartoum.

Securing the Omdurman-Bara road expands the defence perimeter around Khartoum state by approximately 400 kilometres to the southwest and relieves military pressure on El Obeid by curtailing the RSF’s ability to launch attacks on the North Kordofan capital.

The airstrikes targeted significant military hardware and reinforcements dispatched from Darfur, as the RSF seeks to launch counter-attacks against army positions along the Export route and key towns in North Kordofan.

Meanwhile, the Dar Hamar Emergency Room reported that the RSF shut down and sabotaged Starlink satellite internet devices in markets across Wad Banda, Al-Nuhud, and Eyal Bakhit in West Kordofan, cutting off communications and isolating several communities.

The emergency group added that an RSF convoy carrying foreign fighters arrived in Al-Nuhud from North Darfur via Wad Banda early Thursday morning, establishing a temporary military camp east of the city.