Sudan’s powerful Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have declared their takeover of a key region near the borders with Egypt and Libya. This zone, located in the northwest of the country, holds major strategic value and its capture marks another significant moment in the RSF’s ongoing conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
In a statement, RSF commanders claimed that the border region is now under their full control and said it will play an important role in their broader security strategy. The RSF also emphasized their intent to stabilize the area and use it as a base for future operations.
The SAF acknowledged the RSF’s presence but said their own withdrawal from the region was a tactical decision under “defensive planning” meant to protect military personnel and concentrate efforts on more volatile regions.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the civil war that has ravaged Sudan since April 2023. Aid agencies and diplomats worry that this latest shift could further destabilize the already dire humanitarian situation and hinder peace negotiations.
Both the United Nations and African Union have issued statements urging restraint, warning that continued military advances near international borders may draw in neighboring countries and disrupt regional stability.
