A military source says more than twenty SAF soldiers from the 22nd Division in Babanusa, West Kordofan, have crossed the border into South Sudan over the past few days, underscoring the fallout from the shifting battlefield. The group, led by Brigadier Hassan Darmot, commander of the 89th Brigade and deputy commander of the division, reportedly reached Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. According to the source, local Sudanese community leaders facilitated the group’s passage into South Sudan.
While the soldiers’ arrival in Aweil has been confirmed, the fate of the division’s commander, Major General Muawiya Hamid, remains unclear amid circulating but unverified reports of his death. The lack of confirmation has deepened uncertainty around the military situation in West Kordofan, already tense after recent developments.
Last week, the Rapid Support Forces seized the 22nd Division headquarters in Babanusa after a siege lasting more than two years. The takeover marks a significant shift in control across the region, enabling the RSF to secure key positions following prolonged pressure. The soldiers’ withdrawal into South Sudan highlights the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground as the conflict in West Kordofan continues to evolve.
