Rhino: Agencies – Hours before the U.S. State Department’s decision to designate the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan as a terrorist organization took effect, the Rapid Support Forces announced a series of battlefield advances on several fronts in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, in developments reflecting a clear escalation in military operations and an expansion of the scope of clashes in recent hours.
According to statements issued by the Rapid Support Forces, the forces managed to make ground gains on Monday morning in the Kordofan front, regaining control of the city of Bara in North Kordofan State, a city of strategic and economic importance in the region. The data indicates that control of Bara grants the forces a forward position to control the roads and areas in the northeastern part of the state, while also paving the way toward the city of El Obeid, which is the most important administrative and economic center in the state.
According to the statement, the military operation in Bara was part of operational plans aimed at expanding the scope of field control and advancing toward what it called “enemy strongholds.” The statement also mentioned battles that resulted in more than 500 casualties among opposing forces, including officers, in addition to the seizure of approximately 45 equipped combat vehicles and the destruction of several others, as well as the capture of quantities of weapons and military equipment. The statement further noted that the clashes extended to the outskirts of El Obeid, with the pursuit of retreating enemy forces.
In the Darfur region, the Rapid Support Forces announced that they had established full control over the Kurnui area in North Darfur State following battles they described as “swift and decisive.” In a statement, the forces said the operations targeted what they called remnants of militias allied with elements of the Islamic Movement, which they claimed were using the area as a staging ground and a threat to local security.
According to the statement, the forces managed to “clear the area and force opposing forces to withdraw after they suffered heavy losses,” leading to the establishment of full control over the city and its surroundings. The Rapid Support Forces affirmed that this step represents significant progress in their operations aimed at restoring security and stability in North Darfur.
In the same context, field reports indicated that Rapid Support Forces elements had advanced into the city of Al-Tina, located on the Sudanese-Chadian border, where videos released by fighters affiliated with the forces showed moments of their entry into the city center following the clashes.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) affirmed in their statements that their military operations are part of what they described as efforts to protect civilians and secure areas that have witnessed clashes in recent days. They also called on residents of the areas they entered to cooperate with the forces and comply with temporary security measures aimed at restoring stability and pursuing armed outlaws.
The timing of these developments on the ground, coinciding with the imminent entry into force of the U.S. decision to designate the Muslim Brotherhood in Sudan, points to a political dimension parallel to the ongoing military operations, at a time when fighting continues on several fronts within the country, reflecting the complexity of the military and political landscape in Sudan during this phase.
