The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have announced they are on the brink of recapturing the strategic town of Kurmuk, located in the Blue Nile region near the Ethiopian border. According to the Sudan Tribune, the military’s advance follows a series of decisive operations that saw the SAF dismantle what it described as the "final bastions of rebel forces" surrounding the town.
In an official statement released by the SAF’s 4th Infantry Division, the military confirmed that, in coordination with allied forces, it has neutralized the last remaining opposition strongholds in the vicinity of Kurmuk. Military commanders are now signaling that they are in the final stages of preparations to secure total control over the town.
The battlefield situation remains volatile, particularly following a failed offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Al-Barka station, located just south of Kurmuk. The SAF reported that it successfully repelled the assault, inflicting significant casualties on RSF fighters while capturing several military vehicles and a cache of weaponry.
Military analysts note that the SAF is employing a classic pincer movement, maneuvering from both the north and the south to encircle opposition fighters trapped within the town. The recapture of Al-Barka earlier this week served as the precursor to this current push, solidifying the army’s momentum. Given Kurmuk’s proximity to the Ethiopian frontier, the intensifying conflict has prompted heightened surveillance from regional stakeholders, who are increasingly worried about the potential for cross-border spillover.
Observers argue that this military campaign is a critical component of the SAF's broader strategy to reassert national control amidst the devastating ongoing civil war. However, the escalation has triggered significant humanitarian concerns, with local residents and experts fearing that the renewed fighting will shatter the already fragile stability of the border region.
The Rapid Support Forces have yet to issue a formal response to the claims of the SAF’s recent gains. As the military campaign converges on the center of Kurmuk, the stakes for both sides remain high.
If the SAF succeeds in taking the town, it would represent a substantial victory, likely bolstering their military hegemony in the Blue Nile region. For now, the eyes of the region remain fixed on Kurmuk, where the coming days are expected to dictate the future of this contested border territory.
