KHARTOUM, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said on Tuesday that it had taken control of the strategic town of Kurmuk in Sudan's Blue Nile State in the southeast, following "fierce" battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
In a statement, the RSF said its forces, alongside the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North sector (SPLM-N), had "liberated" Kurmuk and surrounding areas. It claimed that more than 400 enemy personnel were killed, with dozens captured, including senior officers.
The RSF also said its forces seized 47 combat vehicles and three tanks, while destroying more than 60 vehicles and five tanks.
The SAF had not commented, and the figures could not be independently verified.
Located near the Ethiopian border, Kurmuk is a key corridor for cross-border trade and a strategic foothold for infrastructure such as the Al-Roseires Dam. Analysts say its capture could shift regional dynamics.
Sudanese political analyst Abdul-Rahim Al-Sunni told Xinhua that control of Kurmuk links Blue Nile and Sinnar states while providing access to the Ethiopian border, warning of potential diplomatic tensions if military operations spill over. Sudanese military expert Abdul-Jalil Ismail described the city's capture as a major tactical gain for the RSF, noting its role in overseeing supply routes.
A local resident said clashes had been intense, with explosions and heavy gunfire, adding that some residents had fled while others remained indoors amid disruptions to basic services.
The fighting follows earlier tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia. On March 2, the Sudanese government reported drone attacks launched from Ethiopian territory, and media reports in February suggested Ethiopia had hosted an RSF training camp near the border, claims Addis Ababa has not confirmed.
Since mid-April 2023, fighting between the SAF and RSF has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions inside Sudan and abroad, according to estimates by international organizations. ■