Battles in West Kordofan as Sudan army resists RSF's eastward push

"Reports of the desperate humanitarian situation and atrocities continue to mount as paramilitary RSF pushes eastwards. The Sudan army is holding on to its last stronghold in West Kordofan as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) pushes to take control of the province east of Darfur. The army said on Sunday it had repelled an attack against its headquarters in the town of Babnusa, which has been under repeated attacks from the RSF."

"A comparison of satellite images taken between September 9 and November 13 by Al Jazeera revealed that the RSF offensive in Babnusa had seriously damaged a number of army facilities, with thick smoke rising from within the headquarters. The images also showed signs of drone targeting and extensive damage to several facilities surrounding the headquarters, with repeated shelling destroying much of the infrastructure and restricting the army's movements within the area."

"However, more recent footage circulating online, which has been verified by Al Jazeera's Sanad fact-checking agency, showed soldiers with the 22nd Division of the Sudanese army in Babnusa celebrating the capture of armoured vehicles left behind by retreating RSF fighters. Intense battles are expected to continue across the Kordofan region in central Sudan over the coming weeks, with the RSF and government forces ignoring a ceasefire proposal presented by the United States and regional stakeholders."

Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have pushed eastwards from Darfur, solidifying control there and launching an offensive into West Kordofan. The Sudan army remains in its last stronghold in West Kordofan, reporting it repelled an attack on its Babnusa headquarters after repeated RSF assaults. Satellite imagery between September 9 and November 13 shows heavy damage to army facilities, drone strikes, thick smoke, and infrastructure destruction that limits army movements. RSF videos claim advances along multiple axes, while verified footage shows army soldiers capturing abandoned armoured vehicles. Intense fighting is expected across Kordofan as both sides ignore a proposed ceasefire.

Read at www.aljazeera.com