< Back to all clusters
[INTERNATIONAL] · Sudan · 3 sources

started · updated

Sudan: SAF gains territory and reports RSF defections

The conflict in Sudan is experiencing a shift in dynamics as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) secure territorial gains and face increasing defections from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In North Kordofan, the SAF has retaken several positions, including Bara, Jabra al-Sheikh, and Umm Sayala. These advances have secured the national Exports Road, a vital supply route connecting Khartoum to el-Obeid, thereby placing increased pressure on RSF supply lines.

Coinciding with these military developments, the RSF is facing internal cohesion challenges. On August 20, the SAF reported that approximately 318 individuals, including four officers, defected from the RSF to join the army.

Broader regional analysis from the Small Arms Survey indicates that the RSF continues to rely on external backing and regional partnerships. This involvement of external actors and mercenary economies in Sudan, Chad, Libya, and the Central African Republic presents ongoing challenges to regional peacebuilding efforts.

Entities

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan · North Kordofan · Rapid Support Forces · Small Arms Survey · Sudanese Armed Forces

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.