The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the SPLM-N faction led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu have announced control over the strategic Sudanese town of Kurmuk, located about 136 km from Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile State near the Ethiopian border.
The advance follows weeks of gradual territorial gains in surrounding areas, with the allied forces pushing deeper into the region over the past six weeks before capturing the town.
Kurmuk has long been a focal point of military conflict. For more than three decades, it has witnessed intense fighting, particularly during the 1990s war between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led by the late John Garang.
Strategic importance
The area holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to key infrastructure, notably the Roseires Dam, a critical asset for Sudan’s electricity generation and water supply.
Kurmuk also carries major military importance, serving as a junction linking Sudan with both Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) and the RSF, the Blue Nile region has remained a key battleground due to its strategic and economic weight.
Control of the area affects vital supply routes and has direct implications for nearby urban centres, particularly Damazin.
The region is also one of Sudan’s richest in natural resources, hosting vast agricultural projects and more than 60% of the country’s forest cover.
According to political analyst Ammar Najm al-Din, holding Kurmuk effectively means controlling the main corridors connecting Blue Nile State with Sennar State.
