The Sudanese army announced that it had repelled an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeting the strategically important al-Berke area in Blue Nile State, as fighting intensifies in southeastern Sudan.

In a statement, the military said clashes near the town of al-Kurmuk resulted in heavy losses for RSF fighters, claiming multiple military vehicles were destroyed while others were seized during the confrontation. The RSF had not issued an official response to the claims at the time of reporting.

Earlier military sources had indicated that al-Berke briefly fell under RSF control before government forces regained the area following intense fighting involving heavy weaponry.

Located near the Ethiopian border, al-Berke is considered strategically significant due to its position along supply and transportation routes linking several contested areas. Sudanese forces said they had conducted a series of operations in May that restored control over multiple locations across Blue Nile State.

Fighting intensifies in Blue Nile

Blue Nile State has witnessed increasing confrontations in recent months involving the Sudanese army, the RSF, and forces linked to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N).

The deteriorating security situation has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, while humanitarian organizations continue warning of worsening living conditions across conflict-affected communities.

RSF and SPLM-N fighters reportedly captured al-Kurmuk in late March before attempting to expand their influence across other parts of the state, contributing to renewed instability in an area already affected by years of armed conflict.

Political divisions deepen alongside battlefield conflict

As military confrontations continue, political fragmentation inside Sudan is also becoming more pronounced.

The Freedom and Change Alliance, which is part of the Sudan Democratic Bloc, said during a press conference in Addis Ababa that it rejects dialogue with the so-called “Founding Alliance,” which it accuses of functioning as the political arm of the RSF.

Sudan has remained engulfed in war since April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese army and the RSF escalated into nationwide conflict.

According to humanitarian assessments, the war has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with tens of thousands killed and nearly 13 million people displaced. Aid agencies also warn that prolonged fighting is worsening food insecurity and deepening shortages of essential services across large parts of the country. (ILKHA)