Sudan’s military landscape is experiencing a rapid escalation following RSF’s announcement of full control over Babanusa in West Kordofan, a development military expert Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi described as a pivotal shift that reconfigures the balance of power between the warring sides.
Al-Falahi said RSF control of Babanusa provides them with significant operational mobility north and south, making the city a key transport hub for ongoing operations, and effectively placing much of West Kordofan under RSF influence.
RSF announced on Monday evening that they had taken full control of the SAF’s 22nd Division and the city of Babanusa, while no official statement has been released by General al-Burhan’s army (SAF).
The expert explained that the SAF is now advancing to break RSF’s hold on Babanusa, moving from Al-Khwei to Al-Nuhud over a distance of roughly 175 kilometres. He described the situation as a real race between the SAF and RSF on the ground, noting that previous delays, such as in El Fasher in North Darfur, contributed to similar losses.
Al-Falahi predicted intense fighting across three main fronts, including North Kordofan, White Nile and surrounding areas like Jabra Al-Sheikh, Sayala and Bara, while the SAF simultaneously seeks to strengthen its southern advance. He stressed that the success of military mobilization, including fighter jets, drones and armoured vehicles, will be decisive in regaining the initiative.
Sudan has been engulfed in military conflict between the SAF and RSF since mid-April 2023, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of around 13 million people.
