RSF Seizes Sudanese Army's Last Stronghold in West Kordofan

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it captured Babanusa and the Sudanese Army’s 22nd Infantry Division headquarters in West Kordofan after a prolonged siege.

“Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) say they have seized the key city of Babnusa in West Kordofan”

Al Jazeera

The RSF called the seizure a pivotal milestone that leaves it with near‑total control of much of the region.

Al Jazeera

Several outlets reported the claim, citing RSF statements and local sources.

Dabanga Radio TV Online summarized RSF statements that it "captured the besieged city of Babanusa and the Sudanese Army’s 22nd Infantry Division headquarters in West Kordofan on Monday."

Sudans Post described the base falling "after a two‑year siege and intensified assaults."

Mada Masr corroborated the RSF account with military sources saying the headquarters fell after "roughly six hours of heavy fighting."

AL‑Monitor reported the RSF saying it "had seized full control of Babanusa, a transport junction in West Kordofan."

Analysts and several reports stressed Babanusa's operational importance.

The town is a transport and logistics hub linking Kordofan corridors and areas near South Sudan's oilfields.

Al Jazeera

Its seizure would grant the RSF increased freedom of movement.

Dabanga relayed military analysis saying the capture would give the RSF important logistical and operational freedom.

Sudans Post described RSF control as leaving them with near-total control of the strategically important, mostly depopulated West Kordofan region near South Sudan's oil areas.

Mada Masr and AL-Monitor added tactical notes.

Footage and accounts showed fighters inside the HQ with seized materiel.

Reports of drone usage, including drones fitted with fiber-optic systems to evade detection and jamming, underline evolving combat methods.

The immediate military response was contested and marked by reciprocal claims.

“Sudan's army denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure”

Al-Jazeera Net

The Sudanese military told outlets it used combat aircraft to strike RSF positions and said it had advanced and captured several localities, posting videos it said showed soldiers controlling towns such as Tabisa and al-Damra and civilians celebrating.

Al-Jazeera Net relayed these military assertions that the army used combat aircraft to strike RSF strongholds and captured al-Damra, Tabisa, al-Murib and Qardud.

At the same time, Sudans Post and AL-Monitor documented the RSF's account of breaching the 22nd Division and said the RSF continued offensive operations despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, while Isle of Wight Candy Press and other outlets reported the SAF rejected the RSF ceasefire as politically motivated.

Civilians and humanitarian actors appear to be bearing the toll as front lines shift.

Mada Masr documented rapid, large-scale displacement and noted towns overwhelmed by arrivals, with volunteer groups filling gaps left by a failing administration.

Al-Jazeera Net

The Arab Weekly described mass civilian deaths and displacement, reporting that the conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced about 12 million people, and triggered what the UN calls the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis.

Dabanga quoted RSF claims that their advance would allow them to protect civilians and enable aid delivery.

Other outlets reported allegations of forced recruitment by SPLM-N and residents' accounts of towns used as depots, sites of forced recruitment, and burial sites.

The capture of Babanusa and the surrounding fighting took place amid stalled diplomatic efforts and competing claims about external influence.

“President Donald Trump said he would intervene to stop the fighting that began after a power struggle in April 2023”

AL-Monitor

AL‑Monitor and The Arab Weekly report that the international 'Quad' proposal from the U.S., UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia called for a three‑month truce and talks.

AL-Monitor

AL‑Monitor notes the RSF said it accepted the plan but then reportedly conducted strikes on army areas.

Sudans Post reports that de facto leader Abdelfattah al‑Burhan publicly rejected a U.S.‑backed ceasefire proposal and accused U.S. envoy Musad Boulis of bias and of representing foreign backers of the RSF, including the UAE.

Isle of Wight Candy Press framed the collapse of the ceasefire as potentially signaling a decisive momentum shift toward the RSF.

AL‑Monitor and other outlets relay the army's accusation that the RSF's unilateral ceasefire was a political tactic covering ongoing assaults and alleged foreign support.