As Sudan grapples with the complexities of its ongoing conflict, recent military operations highlight a significant shift in the dynamics of power in the Darfur region. The Sudanese army’s counteroffensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Bir Saliba marks a critical juncture, demonstrating both strategic advancements and the resilience of government-aligned forces. This increased military activity not only seeks to alter the territorial landscape but also aims to stabilize a region long plagued by violence and humanitarian crises.
Khartoum, Sudan – A Sudanese army-led counteroffensive in the western region of Darfur has resulted in notable gains for government-aligned forces against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group, over recent days. In early August, Sudan’s military and its allied groups successfully repelled two consecutive attacks by the RSF in the strategically crucial Bir Saliba area, located approximately 30 kilometers north of el-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state and the RSF’s last significant stronghold in the region.
In an effort to undermine RSF supply lines, government-backed forces have made strategic moves to seize control of critical crossings and desert routes along the border with Chad. This shift in tactics could indicate a major redirection of conflict towards el-Geneina, as the Bir Saliba region serves as a vital nexus of roads connecting the state capital with northwest areas of Darfur, including Jebel Moon and Kulbus. General Bahr al-Din Adam Karama, the governor of West Darfur state, emphasized the importance of this region.
The Darfur Regional Governor, Minni Arko Minnawi, recently announced the death of Major General Mahdi Adam, known as “Jebel Moon,” one of the RSF’s prominent field commanders, during confrontations in western Sudan. While the RSF has yet to officially confirm this loss, it could mark a significant blow to the paramilitary group and create a leadership vacuum along this key front. Additionally, Minnawi stated that the Joint Force of the Armed Struggle Movements, a coalition of former Darfur rebel groups aligned with the Sudanese army, successfully thwarted an RSF maneuver aimed at encircling Bir Saliba.
Major Mutawakkil Ali Wakil Abu-Ja, spokesperson for the Joint Force, reported that their campaign resulted in the destruction of over 38 combat vehicles and the seizure of 27 others, signaling a decisive advantage in the ongoing conflict. The RSF force commander was also reportedly killed, leading to disarray among RSF fighters, some of whom fled the battlefield, leaving behind fallen comrades.
To further isolate the RSF, airstrikes have targeted convoys near the Chad border, hampering the paramilitary group’s key supply routes. Major General Othman Siraj noted that the army’s pressure on multiple fronts is inhibiting the RSF from regrouping, setting the stage for what is anticipated to be a pivotal battle for el-Geneina.
Fadel Kaya, a leader with the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army – Transitional Council (SLM/TC), remarked that the Joint Force’s recent victories indicate a shift in RSF strategy from territorial expansion to retreating from vital positions. Meanwhile, in North Kordofan state, the RSF’s increased use of drones highlights its attempts to compensate for losses, underscoring their struggle to engage in direct confrontations now that crucial supply routes have been recaptured by the Sudanese armed forces.
The International Organization for Migration reported that the escalating conflict has displaced over 6,650 individuals from 11 villages in the Sirba region. To date, more than 13 million people are estimated to have been displaced since hostilities began in April 2023.
Furthermore, the RSF and its allies are establishing a rival administration known as the Tasis government, opposing the Sudanese government based in Port Sudan. ZezapTV reached out for comments from the RSF and Tasis government regarding the fighting in the Bir Saliba area but received no response by the time of publication.
#PoliticsNews #MiddleEastNews