Al-Falahi: Sudanese Army Seeks to Secure Kordofan to Cut Off Rapid Support Forces’ Supply Lines
Sudan Events – Agencies
Fierce battles continue between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in three major cities across the Kordofan region, as each side attempts to secure its supply routes while disrupting those of its opponent, according to military expert Colonel Hatim al-Falahi.
Information indicates that the scope of the clashes is steadily expanding, with renewed fighting in cities such as Bara, where the RSF is attempting to eliminate the army units stationed there.
Earlier, the army announced it had opened new routes toward the city of al-Fashir, which it lost last month, claiming it had regained control of several areas—claims denied by the RSF, which seeks to extend its dominance from Darfur into Kordofan.
According to al-Falahi, in an analysis shared with Al Jazeera, the army is attempting to secure the Kordofan region as a strategic gateway to retake al-Fashir, the capital of Darfur, which plays a pivotal role in the conflict.
He stressed that the army cannot advance into Darfur without first securing Kordofan, where the RSF controls five states while the army holds ten, according to the military expert.
In North Kordofan, the army is confronting RSF advances aimed at cutting off its supply lines and is attempting to disperse RSF efforts in Babnousa and Bara, pushing them into other areas. Al-Falahi emphasized that air power remains the decisive factor in these battles.
Misuse of Military Strength
Those who control the skies can sever their opponent’s supply lines, Al-Falahi noted, adding that the Sudanese air force has not played an impactful role—even as the RSF continues to strike airports using drones.
At the same time, he argues that the fall of the army’s Sixth Division in al-Fashir and the encirclement of the 22nd Division in Babnousa reflect poor utilization of available forces.
While the army declared a general mobilization, Al-Falahi said it should have deployed regular forces to front-line battlefields while assigning auxiliary units to secure stable urban areas.
He attributed the lack of large-scale offensives by either side to their focus on securing their own supply lines while disrupting those of the other before launching broader operations.
If the army does not begin offensive maneuvers, Al-Falahi warned, Babnousa and Bara could face the same fate as al-Fashir, where army forces remained besieged for nearly two years.
Earlier today, a military source told Al Jazeera that the army is engaged in intense battles with RSF units in several towns across North Kordofan.
The source added that the army had targeted RSF gatherings with drones in the town of al-Mazroub and noted that an announcement of the army’s recapture of Bara—one of North Kordofan’s most important cities—appears imminent.
A military source within the Sudan Shield Forces also confirmed that Sudanese army units and allied forces withdrew from Umm Siyala as a tactical measure.
Source: Al Jazeera
