Sudanese Army Reclaims Strategic North Kordofan Area Amid Ongoing Clashes with RSF

The Sudanese army and its allied armed groups have recaptured the strategic area of Umm Sumayyah in North Kordofan State from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), following fierce clashes. Darfur Governor Minni Minnawi announced the development on Sunday, July 13, describing the operation as a significant national victory, though specific operational details were not disclosed.

A joint statement from the pro-army forces claimed a “complete victory and cleansing” of the area, located west of El-Obeid, the state capital. The RSF had earlier claimed control of Umm Sumayyah, highlighting the fluid and contested nature of territorial control in the ongoing conflict. The escalation has further intensified instability in the Kordofan region, which has witnessed relentless fighting in recent days.

Amid the clashes, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported the displacement of 675 families from nearby villages due to worsening insecurity. The broader conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has led to the deaths of over 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, though independent research suggests the death toll could be as high as 130,000.