Sudanese Armed Forces seize Hamrat al-Waz in North Kordofan

The Sudanese Armed Forces, supported by allied armed movements, have seized control of the city of Hamrat al-Waz in the Jabrat al-Sheikh locality of North Kordofan state. Military sources report that the Rapid Support Forces withdrew from the area as the army and its allies secured the city.

Videos posted on social media by military personnel and allied forces documented their presence at the entrance of the city and near the local police station. As of the latest reports, the Rapid Support Forces have not issued a comment regarding the takeover.

Hamrat al-Waz holds significant strategic value as a commercial hub for agricultural crops and a gathering point for pastoralists. It serves as a vital link between the eastern, central, and western regions of Sudan and acts as an advanced security point for export routes. This military advancement potentially opens paths for further movement toward the cities of Umm Bader to the north and Sudari to the west.

This development follows the army's recovery of Bara and parts of Jabrat al-Sheikh in late July. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has been ongoing since April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of approximately 13 million people.