Sudan’s military chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has ordered the launch of a nationwide military campaign aimed at dislodging the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from key urban and strategic positions across the country, including Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan.
The directive was issued Saturday following a high-level security briefing with the General Command and comes amid intensifying combat across multiple fronts. According to official military sources, the operations are designed to be “swift, coordinated, and conclusive,” focusing on reclaiming full control of urban centers, highways, and government facilities from RSF forces.
“The objective is clear — to dismantle the RSF’s operational capabilities and restore full state authority across Sudanese territory,” a statement from the Armed Forces media office read.
Deployment of Armored Units and Special Forces
As part of the operation, the Sudanese Armed Forces have redeployed armored brigades, infantry battalions, and specialized urban warfare units from training bases and reserve formations to active combat zones.
The military confirmed the movement of heavy weaponry, including tanks and artillery, to frontlines in Omdurman, El Fasher, Nyala, and Kadugli. Troops were also observed mobilizing along the key El-Obeid-Kosti highway in central Sudan.
Aerial support will be provided by drone surveillance and strike aircraft, with enhanced electronic warfare operations targeting RSF supply routes and command centers.
RSF Hold Urban Positions Amid Clashes
Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, the RSF has maintained entrenched positions in several Sudanese cities and rural provinces, often operating from within densely populated neighborhoods.
Despite months of fighting, control of the capital Khartoum remains contested, while fierce street battles continue in parts of North Darfur, South Kordofan, and White Nile State. The army says the new offensive will prioritize securing major towns, supply corridors, and transportation hubs.
A military spokesman confirmed that intelligence and operational readiness assessments conducted over recent weeks had indicated favorable conditions for a decisive push. “We are fully prepared for coordinated, multi-front action,” the statement added.
High Civilian Toll and Worsening Displacement Crisis
The renewed escalation comes as Sudan grapples with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to UN data, over 16,000 people have been killed, and more than 11 million displaced since the onset of hostilities between the army and RSF.
The fighting has destroyed critical infrastructure, disrupted food supplies, and led to near-total collapse of health services in parts of the country. Aid access remains limited, with several international agencies warning of catastrophic famine conditions, especially in Darfur and Kordofan.
The Armed Forces said the new operations will attempt to minimize civilian harm, but observers note that urban combat and the use of heavy weaponry in residential areas have already led to mounting casualties.
Political and Regional Ramifications
The latest military directive comes amid stalled regional and international mediation efforts. While both the African Union and the League of Arab States have called for a ceasefire, the government in Khartoum maintains that military victory is essential to end what it calls RSF-led “armed rebellion.”
Sudan’s Foreign Ministry has recently escalated its diplomatic rhetoric, accusing foreign actors of supporting the RSF and obstructing peace efforts. Meanwhile, RSF-aligned factions continue to operate from strongholds in western Sudan, and reports indicate attempts to establish a parallel administration in RSF-controlled zones.
The outcome of the army’s newly announced campaign is expected to shape the trajectory of the war in the coming months, with wide-reaching implications for national stability, regional security, and humanitarian conditions across Sudan.
