Sudan army refutes claim that RSF has seized key city of Babnusa

"Babnusa serves as a gateway to the Darfur region, over which the paramilitary force took full control last month, and the whole of western Sudan. Videos released by the RSF on Monday showed its fighters taking an army base in Babnusa after a weeks-long siege. However, the SAF maintained it was still fighting in the city. The RSF launched a new attack on the city, which our forces decisively repelled, the official spokesperson for the Armed Forces said in a statement."

"If the RSF consolidates control of Babnusa, it will have solidified its control over the West Kordofan region and along with it any major access ways to the western part of the country, she said. For the Sudanese army to get to parts of Darfur or to other parts of Kordofan, it has to go through Babnusa, said Morgan, so losing the city would make regaining territory in Darfur even more challenging."

Fierce fighting continues in Babnusa after conflicting claims over the town's control. The RSF released videos showing fighters capturing an army base following a weeks-long siege and said it had taken the city and the 22nd SAF Infantry Division headquarters. The Sudanese Armed Forces denied full loss of Babnusa, saying it repelled RSF attacks and still has fighters inside the city. Babnusa serves as a gateway to West Kordofan and Darfur. If the RSF consolidates control, the force would secure major access routes into western Sudan, complicating any SAF efforts to retake territory in Darfur.

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