2026 Blue Nile campaign
| 2026 Blue Nile campaign | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Sudanese civil war (2023-present) | |||||||||
Current situation of control in Blue Nile | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
|
Alleged Support Ethiopia South Sudan | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
 Mohamed Mansour Ismail el-TayebAbu Aqla Kaikal (from April 2026) |
 Joseph Touka[2]Abdel Ati al-Faki[3] | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
4th Infantry Division16th Infantry Brigade | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown |
.png/40px-Flag_of_the_Rapid_Support_Forces_(Sudan).png){kind=small} 36 vehicles destroyed 2 vehicles captured | ||||||||
| 103,000 displaced[4][5] | |||||||||
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The 2026 Blue Nile campaign is an ongoing military campaign by the Rapid Support Forces and the SPLMN to capture Blue Nile state in the southeastern corner of Sudan.[6]
Background
[edit]On 15 April 2023, conflict broke out between the Rapid Support Forces, also known as RSF, and the Sudanese Armed Forces, known as the SAF. Sight of conflict has been in central and west Sudan, and previously the Butana.[7][8] Blue Nile State has been safe throughout the war besides spillover incursions from RSF's offensive in Sennar State.[9]. RSF captured Al-Tadamun for a certain period of time before being defeated by the SAF.
Campaign
[edit]On 25 January 2026, the Sudanese government reported that the RSF and the al-Hilu movement attacked Blue Nile state from South Sudan, including the areas Al-Sillik and Milkan, battling with the SAF's 4th Infantry Division.[10]
By 3 February, RSF and al-Hilu forces captured Deim Mansour, Bashir Nuqu, and Khor al-Budi. A government official claimed that the opposition forces launched the attacks from Ethiopia. He also claimed later in the statement RSF and al-Hilu have been residing in Benishangul-Gumuz region, and claimed also in that region, bases overseen by the UAE have targeted the SAF with drones.[11] On 5 February, Abdel-Ati al-Faki, a local official stated a significant buildup by al-Hilu . In addition, 1,500 people were displaced from previous attacks and arrived in Kurmuk.[12] On 27 February, the RSF and al-Hilu forces launched coordinated drone strikes on Geissan along with Kurmuk, destroying a girl's primary school, and reportedly another unnamed school in the village Khor Al-Dhab.[13]
By 24 March, RSF and al-Hilu captured Kurmuk, the third biggest town in the state, along with the Al-Kaili and Al-Baraka area. The commander of the 16th Infantry Brigade, Mohamed Mansour, confirmed the withdrawal. A regional government spokesperson of Blue Nile claimed fighters moved from Darfur, into an unnamed country, for training and arming before the assault.[14][15] On 26 March, the RSF and al-Hilu continued its offensive across southern parts of the state. The opposition mobilized up to the Geissan District.[16] On 27 March, the SAF reinforced positions on the outskirts of Ed Damazin, the state capital. Major General Ismail al-Tayeb, the commander of the 4th Infantry Division inspected garrisons in the areas of Sale and Danduro, and claimed that the military had entered a decisive phase. Governor of Blue Nile Ahmed al-Omda ordered local citizens to organize a resistance.[17] The next day, civilians were reported to have fled the town Geissan fearing an attack as the RSF and SPLM-N al-Hilu have been mobilizing in the past month.[18]
By April 20, the SAF launched an operation north of Kurmuk locality, recapturing Magaja in the Bau locality. In addition, the Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Aqla Kaikal, arrived in the region, with Kaikal vowing to end RSF presence in the state.[19]
On 25 April, the army's 4th Infantry Division from Ed-Damazin said its forces and allied groups repelled an RSF invasion on the Sale site. The Sudanese military claimed to capture 2 RSF vehicles, destroy 36 vehicles, and neutralized several fighters. On the other hand, an RSF spokesperson said RSF has full control of Al-Kaili.[20]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ https://www.reuters.com/investigations/ethiopia-builds-secret-camp-train-sudan-rsf-fighters-sources-say-2026-02-10/
- ^ "Ethiopia/Sudan • Sudanese rebel leader Joseph Tuka's close ties to the Ethiopian border - 16/03/2026". Africa Intelligence. 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Drone strikes and shelling intensify in Sudan's South Kordofan, Blue Nile". Sudan Tribune. 13 February 2026.
- ^ "نزوح (30) ألف شخص جراء هجمات في النيل الأزرق". سودان تربيون (in Arabic). 9 May 2026. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
- ^ "Sudan's Blue Nile displacement reaches 73,000 after Kurmuk attack 73,000 Displaced in Sudan's Blue Nile After Al-Kurmuk Attack". Sudan Tribune. 26 March 2026.
- ^ "Sudan war: New RSF offensive in Blue Nile 'diversion from Kordofan front'". Dabanga Radio TV Online. 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Sudan: Army and RSF battle over key sites, leaving 56 civilians dead". www.bbc.com. 16 April 2023.
- ^ "Looting and fighting reported in a central Sudan city as paramilitary group attacks military troops". AP News. 30 June 2024.
- ^ "Sudan's army repels RSF attack in Blue Nile". Sudan Tribune. 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Sudan says RSF, SPLM-N attack Blue Nile region from South Sudan". Sudan Tribune. 25 January 2026.
- ^ "RSF and SPLM-N attack arm's positions in Blue Nile, capture strategic area". Sudan Tribune. 3 February 2026.
- ^ "RSF and SPLM-N buildup near Kurmuk sparks fears of imminent attack". Sudan Tribune. 5 February 2026.
- ^ "RSF, SPLM-N escalate drone attacks on Blue Nile border towns". Sudan Tribune. 27 February 2026.
- ^ "RSF-SPLM-N JOINT FORCES SEIZE STRATEGIC SUDANESE TOWN NEAR ETHIOPIAN BORDERRSF-SPLM-N joint forces seize strategic Sudanese town near Ethiopian border". Sudan Tribune. 24 March 2026.
- ^ "'RSF and SPLM-N seize parts of Sudan's Blue Nile region' as more than 73,000 flee". Dabanga Radio TV Online. 24 March 2026.
- ^ "SPLM-N rebels, RSF extand operations after seizing Sudan's Kurmuk udan Rebels, RSF Advance in Blue Nile Near Ethiopia Border". Sudan Tribune. 26 March 2026.
- ^ "Sudanese army reinforces Ed Damazin as SPLM-N, RSF forces seize Kurmuk Sudan army reinforces Ed Damazin as rebels seize Kurmuk". Sudan Tribune. 27 March 2026.
- ^ "Residents flee Sudan's Blue Nile state as RSF and allies mass near Geissan Residents flee Geissan in Sudan's Blue Nile as RSF masses". Sudan Tribune. 28 March 2026.
- ^ "Sudan Nashra: Sudanese bid to rejoin global financial system unlikely to succeed amid wartime realities, sources say | Burhan seeks political backing for state control of aid in brief Jeddah visit | Idris's intra-Sudanese dialogue proposal lacks seriousness, party sources say | Sudan Shield Forces arrive in Blue Nile | Military launches ground attacks in North Kordofan". Mada Masr.
- ^ "Clashes intensify in Sudan's Blue Nile as army and RSF alliance trade blows". Sudan Tribune. 25 April 2026.
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