KHARTOUM — A group of fighters from Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has surrendered to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in North Kordofan, handing over their weapons following a series of military setbacks for the RSF in the region, according to Sudanese military officials.
The fighters reportedly arrived from the town of Bara, a strategic RSF stronghold in North Kordofan, where they were received by senior army officers after laying down their arms. Sudanese authorities said the defections followed recent advances by government forces, including the capture of key positions and the reopening of the strategic highway linking Omdurman, near the capital Khartoum, with El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State.
Military officials described the surrender as evidence of growing pressure on the RSF, which has been engaged in a devastating conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023. The government has recently intensified operations aimed at regaining control of major transport routes and urban centers in central and western Sudan.
Former RSF commander Al-Nour Al-Qubba said additional fighters were continuing to leave the paramilitary group, citing deteriorating conditions within its ranks. He called on the Sudanese authorities to provide safe passage and amnesty for those willing to surrender, saying such measures could encourage further defections and help reduce the intensity of the conflict.
The Sudanese military has in recent weeks announced a series of territorial gains in North Kordofan, describing the region as strategically important for securing supply lines between central and western Sudan. The road connecting Omdurman and El Obeid is considered a key logistical corridor for both military and humanitarian operations.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displacing millions of people and devastating large parts of the country. Despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire and renewed peace talks, fighting continues across several regions, including Darfur, Kordofan, and parts of Khartoum.
