Kordofan campaign | ||||||||
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Part of Sudanese civil war (2023–present) | ||||||||
Military situation as of 12 September 2025 | ||||||||
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Belligerents | ||||||||
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Commanders and leaders | ||||||||
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Units involved | ||||||||
Ethiopian Mercenaries [2] | 5th Infantry Division [3] 91st Infantry Brigade 92 Infantry Brigade ![]() 22nd Infantry Division Reserve Forces | Unknown | ||||||
Casualties and losses | ||||||||
+8 killed 13 vehicles destroyed Per SAF: 26 killed 15 vehicles destroyed | +43 killed 33 captured | Unknown | ||||||
Over 1,106 killed, including 646 from famine Over 76 families and 64,000 people displaced |
The Kordofan Campaign is the theater of the War in Sudan that takes place in the 3 states that make up the Kordofan region: North Kordofan, South Kordofan, and West Kordofan. The campaign began on 15 April 2025, when the RSF claimed to have taken control of the airport in El Obeid, happening on the same day that the war began. Multiple major battles have been fought, including the Siege of El Obeid and the Battle of Kadugli.
The offensive has been marked by heavy fighting between both sides due to the strategic location it provides to Darfur, as well as its access to oilfields like Heglig.
On April 15, 2023, RSF forces attacked SAF units and took control of various areas around Sudan's capital, Khartoum, beginning the Sudanese civil war. Clashes were reported across several parts of the city, including Khartoum International Airport and the Presidential Palace [4] Clashes were also reported in the city of El Fasher and Nyala in Darfur, beginning the Darfur Campaign. [5]
The beginning of the Kordofan Campaign was on 15 April, when the RSF claimed to have seized control of the El Obeid Airport. [6] Explosions were later heard in the city on 20 April, [7] while clashes persisted into the next day, resulting in an IOM employee being killed in the crossfire. [8]
On 1 June, officials from the World Food Programme stated that enough food to feed 4.4 million people was stolen from their warehouses in the city. [9] On 11 June, it was reported that El Obeid was under siege by the RSF. [10] The SAF conducted its first airstrikes on RSF positions in the city on June 14. [11] Clashes resumed between the RSF and SAF on July 9. [12] The SAF claimed that the 5th Infantry division killed 26 paramilitaries and destroyed 2 combat vehicles belonging to the RSF in the Farajallah area in the city on August 11. [3] 14 people were killed in clashes between the SAF and RSF on August 30. [13]
On September 17, the SAF and RSF clashed again in El Obeid, with the army inflicting losses on the RSF's forces outside the city. The RSF then retaliated by shelling the city causing civilian casualties. [14] 4 more people were killed in clashes on October 8. [15]
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North began mobilizing its forces around the city of Kadugli and South Kordofan on June 8, taking control of army bases despite having a ceasefire agreement with the SAF. [16] This then led to the SPLM-N breaking the ceasefire and attacking SAF forces in the region on June 21, including in Kadugli and Dalang, with the RSF later attacking Dalang as well. The SAF claimed to have repelled all the attacks. [17] The SPLM-N was reported to have temporarily taken control of the town's police station and claimed control over the road connecting it to Kadugli. [18]
The SPLM-N seized control of the SAF's bases in Servaya, El Tagola, and Um Heitan in South Kordofan on July 3. [19] On July 9, the SPLM-N blocked the road from Karkal to Kadugli. [20] They then seized control of Karkaraya oil field near Dalang and attacked the SAF's 14th Infantry Headquarters in Kadugli with Katyusha rockets on July 15. [21] On July 28, the SAF retreated from Mardis, its last stronghold in the Dalami area in the Habila, due to the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) presence. [22] 1 child was killed and 3 more were injured by SPLM-N shelling on SAF positions in Kadugli on July 29. [22] Clashes occurred again in Kadugli on the 69th founding anniversary of the SAF on August 14. [23] The SAF later attacked SPLM-N positions east of Kadugli Airport and in the mountains behind Hajar El Mek on August 25. [24] Fighting between the SAF and the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) broke out in Kahliyat, South Kordofan on August 27. [24] The SPLM-N (al-Hilu) attacked SAF positions in Dalami, South Kordofan. [24] The SPLM-N attacked an SAF base in Kadugli on September 3. [25] The SAF later repelled an attack on Kadugli from the SPLM-N on September 27. [26]
On October 24, the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) attacked the town of Lagawa, West Kordofan. [27] 4 people were killed after the RSF attacked and destroyed the village of Tukma, which hosted a garrison of the SPLM-N (al-Hilu), in South Kordofan on December 5. [28]
The SAF claimed that RSF forces in the city of Kadugli had surrendered and the base their had been seized on April 15. [29] The RSF reportedly took control of Wad Banda in West Kordofan on 25 April, and clashes in the state continued into the next day. [30] [31] Clashes continued into the next day, with fighter jets reportedly being used. [32]
Reports on June 21 said that the RSF had taken control of the Teiba military base near Dibebad in clashes that left 40 SAF personnel and 4 paramilitaries dead. 33 SAF personnel were also taken prisoner. [18] On July 5, the RSF attacked and pillaged the town of Bara in North Kordofan. [33] The RSF reportedly ambushed a dispersed an SAF convoy north of Dalang in South Kordofan on July 16. [21] Clashes between the RSF and Kababish tribe in North Kordofan left 41 people dead on July 22. [34] 2 people were later killed when the RSF plundered the town of Um Rawaba. [35]
At least 4 paramilitaries and an unknown amount of civilians and soldiers were killed in clashes in Um Rawaba on August 1. [36] The Governor of North Kordofan announced a curfew from 19:00 and 05:00 and banned the use of motorcycles and electric scooters throughout the state following recent clashes on August 2. [37] UNISFA said that one of its helicopters was attacked in Kadugli on August 10. [38] Fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF in the town of Al-Fulah, West Kordofan, resulting in the looting of government facilities, banks and other offices on August 16. [39]
The RSF retreated from Um Rawaba, North Kordofan on September 13. [40] On October 1, RSF claimed to have seized the SAF garrison in Wad Ashana and attacked another at Kilometer 44, west and southwest of Um Rawaba. [41] 4 people were killed in clashes between the SAF and armed residents from the Misseriya tribe in Muglad, West Kordofan on October 4. [42] In the morning of October 30, the RSF claimed to have taken the Balila oilfield and its airport in West Kordofan, along with 15 SAF vehicles before withdrawing in the evening. It also accused the SAF of burning the airport, while 16 people wearing "military uniforms" were reported killed. [43] [44]
7 people were killed in SAF bombing in El Hamra, North Kordofan on November 20. [45] The RSF reportedly took control of an administrative unit in El Odeya, West Kordofan, following the withdrawal of SAF forces in the area on November 23. [46] The RSF attacked the SAF garrison near Babanusa, West Kordofan, the next day. [47] 4 people were killed in an SAF airstrike in Kokoti, North Kordofan on December 2. [48] 5 more people were killed in SAF airstrikes in Jabra al-Sheikh, North Kordofan on December 7. [49] The RSF seized control of Habila, South Kordofan on December 31. [50]
The RSF attacked the town of Barah, North Kordofan on January 2. [51]
5 people were killed in clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Donki El Omda, west of Babanusa on January 22. [52] Eight others were killed in SAF airstrikes in villages west of Muglad. [53] 2 days later, the RSF launched an offensive to seize Babanusa and the garrison of the SAF's 22nd Infantry Division in the city. At least 23 people were reported to have been killed while 30 others were injured. [54] Sudan War Monitor reported that the RSF had taken over most of Babanusa and indicated that its fighters had penetrated the headquarters of the SAF's 22nd Infantry Division on January 26. [55] A temporary ceasefire was declared in Babanusa at the end of the month to allow the evacuation of civilians following mediation by the Misseriya paramount chief, Mukhtar Babu Nimr, and other tribal leaders. [56]
5 people were killed in an RSF raid on the village of El Doudiya, West Kordofan on March 7. Four paramilitaries were subsequently killed after being pursued by armed residents into Um Samima, North Kordofan on the same day. [57] Three people were killed in an SAF airstrike in Shuaa, West Kordofan on March 22. [58]
Over 100 people were killed on April 8 in attacks by the RSF on SPLM–N (al-Hilu) controlled villages in South Kordofan. [59] Shelling in El Obeid on April 18 killed one person. [60] On May 7 the SAF claimed to have retaken the Jabal al-Ain military base and the nearby village of Abu al-Ghar, 20 kilometers east of El-Obeid, from the RSF, as well as the headquarters of the Police Central Reserve Forces in the city. [61] Both the SAF and the RSF also claimed control of Mount Kordofan, 20 kilometers east of El-Obeid. [62] 15 people were later killed in an RSF attack on the Abu Haraz market in El Obeid on May 12. [63] The RSF claimed to have taken Um Rawaba, North Kordofan, for a second time on May 19. [64] On June 9, the SAF claimed to have broken the RSF siege on the 22nd Infantry Division garrison in Babanusa, in addition to retaking the Al-Salam, Al-Posta, and Al-Sikka neighbourhoods as well as the city's markets. [65]
On June 20, the RSF, led by commander Salih Al-Foti [66] captured Al-Fulah, the capital of West Kordofan, from the SAF after some fighting which started the previous day. The 91st Infantry Brigade retreated from the city towards Babanusa, allowing the RSF to take control over several other key areas in the state, including Al-Meiram, which was captured on July 5 [67] after the fled the city's garrison to South Sudan. [68] Dozens of civilians were left dead or wounded [69] and 60% of the city's population fled. Videos also emerged showing RSF fighters executing tens of military detainees, as well as alleged Ethiopian mercenaries raising their country's flag in the city. [70] [2]
23 people were killed in an RSF attack on a merchants' convoy travelling from Fanquqa to Um Sumaima in North Kordofan on July 13. [71] Clashes broke out between the SAF and the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) on August 18 in Kador, South Kordofan, after SAF warplanes reportedly dropped military supplies on an SPLM–N camp by accident. Reports said that the SPLM–N camp was taken by the SAF following the fighting. [72]
On October 5, At least 30 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in SAF airstrikes on Hamrat al-Sheikh and Abu Zuama in North Kordofan. [73] At least 20 people were killed in an RSF attack on the village of Al-Damukiya, near El-Obeid on October 8. [74] The Sudanese government began airlifting humanitarian aid towards Kadugli and Junud in South Kordofan in November. [75] On November 4, Three people, including two militia leaders and a police officer, were killed in clashes between police and the Reserve Forces, a tribal militia allied with the SAF, in En Nahud, West Kordofan. [76] The RSF launched drone attacks on Wad Ashana in North Kordofan on December 17. [77]
he SAF retook Karkaraia and Hajar al-Jawad, on the road between Dalang and Kadugli in South Kordofan, from the SPLM-N (al-Hilu) on January 13. [78] On January 30, the SAF retook the city of Umm Ruwaba in North Kordofan, advancing towards El Obeid. [79] They also shot down ten drones over El Obeid [80] The SAF took control of the city of Er Rahad in North Kordofan on February 17, as well as Sidra 2 days later. [81] [82]
The RSF attacked the town of El Khoi, West Kordofan, injuring three civilians including a journalist, seizing four vehicles including an ambulance and two others belonging to the police, and looting the town's savings bank and police station on August 14, 2023. [23] One civilian was killed after the RSF attacked the town of El-Odeya, West Kordofan and burned its police station on September 20. [83] 9 more were killed and 76 families were displaced after the RSF attacked the village of Abu Hamra in Um Rawaba on November 8. [84]
14 people, including 11 children and 2 teachers, were killed in an SAF airstrike on a school in El Hadra, South Kordofan on March 14, 2024. [85] Nine more civilians were reportedly killed by SAF intelligence services after being accused of collaborating with rebels in Kuek, South Kordofan on April 11. [86] The Sudanese government accused the RSF of looting aid from a WFP convoy travelling from Port Sudan to Zamzam IDP camp as it passed through Armel, on the border between West and North Kordofan, on November 26, adding that the looted items were diverted to Nyala. [87] On December 14, Fifteen people were killed in an SAF drone strike on a civilian dairy transport vehicle along the Omdurman-Bara road between Khartoum and North Kordofan. [88]
On February 3, the SPLM-N shelled a market and residential areas in Kadugli, killing 44 people and injuring dozens of others. [89]
On August 13, Civilian authorities affiliated with the SPLM–N declared a state of famine over parts of South Kordofan, including the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile States affecting around three million people. [90] [91] By 17 October, at least 646 people had died from malnutrition in the Nuba Mountains. [92] The IPC also declared a state of famine in parts of the Nuba Mountains on December 24. [93] The Sudanese government rejected the findings. [94]