Sudan’s army regains territory in South Kordofan state after offensive against RSF

Key Concepts

• Sudan Armies: Refers to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan.
• Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North): A rebel group led by Abdul Aziz al-Hilu.
• South Kordofan: A state in Sudan where intense fighting is occurring.
• Humanitarian Aid: Assistance provided to people in need, especially during crises.
• Displacement: The forced movement of people from their homes.
• Siege: The surrounding of a place by an armed force to prevent the escape of its defenders or inhabitants.
• Drone Strikes: Attacks carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles.

Fighting in South Kordofan and Government Advances

The Sudanese army has reportedly regained control of parts of South Kordofan state following an offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This advance is significant as the army is not only fighting the RSF but also the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North), led by Abdul Aziz al-Hilu. Al-Hilu has been a long-standing rival of the Sudanese government since 2011 and is now allied with the RSF.

• Territorial Gains: The army has secured control of several villages in South Kordofan from the SPLM-North, which is allied with the RSF. They have also regained territory from the RSF, specifically small villages around the capital and towards the western part of South Kordofan.
• Military Tactics: The army has launched drone strikes on Kauda, the stronghold of the SPLM-North. Their strategy involves making advances in the Kordofan region to secure more ground from the RSF and the SPLM-North, aiming to solidify control and protect other parts of Kordofan from bombardments and attacks.

Humanitarian Situation in South Kordofan

Weeks of intense fighting across northwest and south Kordofan have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people. The United Nations (UN) reports that over 1,600 civilians fled Kartella in South Kordofan in a single day.

• Siege and Blockades: The RSF, in conjunction with the SPLM-North, has imposed sieges on several cities and towns in South Kordofan, including Denge and Kadubli, for months.
• Limited Aid Delivery: In late October, the UN managed to bring its first convoy of humanitarian aid to those trapped in these cities, but this is considered insufficient.
• Dire Conditions: Interviews with individuals who managed to leave South Kordofan, particularly women (as men feared capture by the RSF or SPLM-North), reveal a dire situation. There is a lack of medical assistance, and many people are suffering from chronic diseases and dying due to malnutrition and these pre-existing conditions.
• Restricted Access: The ongoing fighting restricts the movement of humanitarian organizations and the delivery of aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, which is described as one of the worst in the country.
• UN World Food Program (WFP) Efforts: The WFP has delivered supplies to some areas in the Kordofan region, improving the situation in those specific locations. However, they emphasize that the needs remain immense and that greater access is required to reach all those in need, including those in South Kordofan where active fighting is displacing and trapping people between the Sudanese army, the RSF, and the SPLM-North.

Conclusion

The conflict in South Kordofan is characterized by intense fighting between the Sudanese army, the RSF, and the SPLM-North. While the Sudanese army is making territorial gains, the humanitarian situation remains critical due to sieges, displacement, and restricted access for aid organizations. The UN and WFP are working to provide assistance, but the scale of the crisis necessitates increased access and resources.