RSF attack West Kordofan town, looting and killing civilians
Rising military tensions in West Kordofan following SAF advances
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a new attack on the city of Al-Khiwai in West Kordofan State, following the withdrawal of regular forces from the area. On the morning of Sunday, March 9, 2025, RSF troops from the northern sector of the state launched a fierce attack on the town, which is a locality headquarters in the northeast of West Kordofan, using a military convoy of 35 four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The town lies on the main highway linking El Obeid with Darfur regions, a route along which fighting has taken place repeatedly, including around the largest city, El Obeid, as well as the towns of An-Nahud, Um Ruwaba, and Wad Banda.
Civilian victims
The attack resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including two family members killed inside their home, while four others were injured and transported to the city hospital for treatment. Additionally, four RSF members were killed.
The attacking forces looted the city’s market and residents’ belongings before withdrawing. Sudan War Monitor obtained the following list of casualties:
List of Civilian Dead:
Abdul-Latif Awad Obeid
Hamad Mohamed Tourshin
Gaddafi Ibrahim Adam
Musab Hamad Hakmadar
Yasser Hamad – a person with disabilities who succumbed to his injuries
List of the Injured
Hammoudi Hamed Al-Tom
Al-Noor Adam Abu-Khair
Abdul-Salam Ajab Bakhit
Widespread looting of the market
A local resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told Sudan War Monitor that RSF forces carried out extensive looting under armed threat. They stole household furniture, food supplies, small vehicles, motorcycles, and tuk-tuks. Additionally, they looted shops, commercial stores, and transport trucks loaded with goods and peanuts in the city market.
The resident described a state of fear and panic among the city's civilians, especially children and the elderly, as Al-Khiwai had been safe for a long period. Some residents have started fleeing the city, fearing another RSF attack. The source also reported that RSF forces fired rounds into the sky before withdrawing westward.
SAF-allied forces withdrew hours before the attack
A high school teacher in Al-Khiwai, who also wished to remain anonymous, stated that the Reserve Forces of the Dar Hamar tribes and Border Guard Forces, which are allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), withdrew from the city just hours before the RSF attack, following orders from the 18th Brigade Command in An-Nahud.
The teacher mentioned that these forces had arrived in Al-Khiwai on February 24 with 40 four-wheel-drive vehicles to support the Al-Sayyad military convoy, which was arriving from the east. However, the RSF had deployed reinforcements along the road between Al-Obeid and Al-Khiwai , preventing the progress of the convoy.
He added that Al-Khiwai had previously remained free of military presence and enjoyed security and stability. The RSF had previously entered the city on July 21, 2024, as part of their conflict with, and pursuit of, the Reserve Forces led by Hamad Safi Hamad, before withdrawing.
Rising military tensions in West Kordofan
All indications suggest that West Kordofan will witness renewed military confrontations in the coming period, as both the Sudanese Army and its allied forces and the RSF have deployed reinforcements to strengthen their military positions.
The Rapid Support Forces control most of the state, but the Sudanese Armed Forces have a besieged garrison in Babanusa, north of Abyei. Additionally, through an alliance with Hamar tribal militia, they control the northernmost locality of An-Nahud, as well as surrounding areas, including parts of Wad Banda and Al-Khiwai.
Last month, SAF broke the siege of El Obeid in neighboring North Kordofan State by securing a key route between the city and the SAF stronghold of White Nile. This has allowed them to bring more forces from central Sudan westward. However, the RSF still have forces around El Obeid, encumbering the westward movement of troops. For about a week, the RSF have been shelling El Obeid daily.