Sudanese army prepare joint military operation to free Darfur, Kordofan from RSF

Key Concepts

• Rapid Support Forces (RSF): A paramilitary group in Sudan currently engaged in conflict with the Sudanese army.
• Kurdufan & Darfur Regions: Key areas of conflict and humanitarian crisis within Sudan.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Sudan is experiencing what the UN describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict.
• Port Sudan: The city where the Sudanese government operated from during the initial phase of the conflict.
• Katum: The capital city to which the Sudanese government has recently returned.

Return of Government to Katum & Ongoing Conflict in Sudan

The Sudanese government has officially returned to the capital, Katum, for the first time since the outbreak of war in 2023. Prior to this, the government had been operating from Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast. This return follows the Sudanese army’s claim, made eight months ago, of regaining full control of Katum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). However, the situation remains dire, with the United Nations characterizing the conflict as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Military Operations & Regional Dynamics

A joint military operation is currently underway in Darfur and North Kurdufan, aiming to liberate these regions from the RSF. The Sudanese army asserts that preparations for a potential full-scale offensive have already prompted the RSF to withdraw from border areas. The governor of Darfur reports that the operation has, thus far, prevented the RSF from besieging Alubade in North Kurdufan.

However, on the ground, civilians express skepticism regarding these assurances. Despite repeated claims of impending RSF defeat, they have witnessed the RSF’s expansion from South Darfur to encompass West, Central, and East Darfur, culminating in the capture of Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the entire Darfur region. Civilians are not seeking rhetoric but tangible action – the ability to return to their homes with the RSF withdrawn from occupied territories. Instead, they report an increase in RSF attacks, particularly drone strikes, targeting areas not yet under their control, especially along the border with Chad. This is driving further displacement, with thousands fleeing their homes in the Kurdufan region and hundreds of thousands already displaced in Darfur, seeking refuge in Chad and rebel strongholds like Toila.

Strategic Importance of Kurdufan

The Kurdufan region is strategically vital. Control of Kurdufan by the RSF would provide easier access to the central, eastern, and northern parts of Sudan. Conversely, maintaining control of Kurdufan and reclaiming RSF-held territories allows the Sudanese army to launch attacks into Darfur. The army is currently reorganizing and deploying more troops to Kurdufan, with the stated goal of eventually liberating Darfur.

Recent gains have been made in South and North Kurdufan, but the RSF continues to fight, employing drone attacks against Sudanese army-controlled areas. There is a widespread concern that a resolution to the conflict is not imminent and could take months, potentially resulting in either RSF control of Kurdufan or a successful army operation to regain control of Kurdufan and Darfur.

Civilian Perspective & Lack of Reassurance

As Heba Morgan reported from Katum, civilians are largely unmoved by official statements. They have “heard from the governor over and over again that the rapid support forces will be defeated,” but their lived experience contradicts these claims. They emphasize the need for concrete action, specifically the ability to return home safely.

Notable Quote: “For those people who’ve been affected by these fight by the fighting, these are just words. They say that they want to see action. They want to see the the themselves being able to return to their homes…” – Heba Morgan, reporting from Katum.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The return of the Sudanese government to Katum represents a symbolic step, but the underlying conflict remains deeply entrenched. While the Sudanese army is attempting to regain control through military operations, particularly in Kurdufan, the RSF continues to pose a significant threat, evidenced by ongoing attacks and territorial control in Darfur. The humanitarian crisis is escalating, with mass displacement and a growing sense of despair among civilians who are skeptical of official assurances and demand tangible improvements in their safety and security. The situation is complex and likely to persist for months, requiring sustained international attention and humanitarian assistance.