RSF repulses Sudanese army offensive in North Kordofan
Dozens of SAF prisoners executed in Umm Summaymah
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Wednesday repelled a coordinated assault by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in northern parts of North Kordofan state and simultaneously launched a separate offensive on the town of Umm Summaymah in the west of the state, capturing and executing dozens of army prisoners.
In northern North Kordofan, SAF forces advanced from Khartoum and White Nile states, targeting RSF positions in and around Rahad Al-Nuba and aiming to expand toward Umm Sayyala and Jabra El Sheikh.
The RSF confronted the advancing force and launched a counteroffensive eastward from Umm Sayyala, inflicting heavy losses on the SAF column and forcing a full retreat. Sudan War Monitor verified geolocated footage placing RSF forces at a checkpoint near Rahid Al-Nuba (14°49'19"N 31°32'32"E), where elements of the Sudanese military had appeared earlier.
The operation ended in an RSF victory, with claims by the paramilitary group of over 100 SAF soldiers killed and several vehicles and equipment captured. RSF fighters pursued retreating forces east toward White Nile State.
“With the dawn of the peace government of the Founding Alliance, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued to achieve victories on multiple fronts. On Wednesday, the brave fighters secured a second triumph over the army of the terrorist Islamic Movement in the ‘Umm Sayyala’ area, east of Jabra, in North Kordofan State.”
“The brave forces engaged in a decisive battle, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy—exceeding 100 dead—and seized fully-equipped combat vehicles, as well as weapons and ammunition that had been in the possession of the remnants. The remaining fighters fled the scene.”
“We affirm our forces’ determination to continue advancing steadily until complete liberation, the downfall of the remnants of the former regime, the dismantling of the ‘terrorist gang,’ the establishment of justice, and the pursuit of building a new Sudan based on the principles of freedom, justice, and equality.”
The Sudan Shield Forces, a militia led by Abu Aqla Keikel and aligned with SAF since October 2024, acknowledged suffering losses but withheld details on the number of casualties or the exact location of the fighting.
“Continuing its triumphant journey, by the will of Allah, fulfilling its pledge to its people and leadership, and adhering to its commitment, the Sudan Shield Forces are engaged in fierce battles within the axes of the Battle of Dignity in the North Kordofan operational theater these days against the scattered terrorist militias of Al-Daglo in the Umm Sayyala area. Our forces have recorded a number of martyrs, wounded, and missing. The Sudan Shield Forces renew their pledge with soaring morale, ready to complete the stages of their advance with full confidence toward achieving their designated goals in accordance with the plan of the General Command and under its supervision,” said the statement issued on Thursday.
Concurrently, RSF units coming from Al-Kuwei locality in West Kordofan state attacked east towards Umm Summaymah, located in the western part of North Kordofan State, just about 50 kilometers to the west of the state capital El Obeid and captured the town, visibly after intense fighting.
A large number of SAF Joint Forces personnel stationed in the area were captured, and according to multiple sources in the field and video evidence posted online, at least several dozen prisoners were executed shortly after the fighting. RSF command has not issued an official statement on the executions but claimed victory in the area.
“The Rapid Support Forces on Wednesday achieved a significant and strategic victory by fully liberating the area of Umm Summaymah, a location of strategic importance situated west of El Obeid in North Kordofan State.”
“This battlefield gain comes as one of the first signs of momentum following the formation of the new government and falls within the framework of well-executed military plans aimed at expanding operational reach and advancing steadily toward enemy strongholds and the centers of terrorist militias.”
“RSF fighters staged a fierce and heroic battle, delivering a crushing defeat to the enemy. The forces of the so-called Islamic Movement and its mercenaries suffered massive losses, with hundreds of fighters and members of terrorist brigades killed. RSF troops seized a large cache of weapons and military equipment, including over 100 fully-equipped combat vehicles (inventory and documentation are still ongoing). Dozens of fleeing mercenaries were forced to retreat under relentless RSF pursuit.”
“We reiterate that the RSF has entered a decisive and advanced stage in its war against the army of the Islamic Movement, moving forward with determination and resolve to complete the liberation of the country, deliver justice to the long-marginalized populations, and lay the foundation for a new Sudan based on fairness and equity.”
The dual operations underline RSF's operational capacity to engage on multiple fronts despite retreat from central Sudan. While the SAF attempted to re-establish a foothold in Kordofan after two years of territorial losses, the RSF countered with offensive and defensive maneuvers that exposed the army’s overstretched deployment and coordination failures.
Following its withdrawal from Al Jazirah and parts of Khartoum earlier this year, RSF concentrated operations in Kordofan and North Darfur. SAF, in contrast, has struggled to retake ground in Kordofan, including failed attempts to reach beyond western North Kordofan, and advance west into major cities in West Kordofan including the besieged 22nd Infantry Division in Babanusa.
Similar attempts were also made to relief the town of Dilling in South Kordofan which has been under RSF and SPLM-North siege since the start of the war. The army had briefly captured Al-Debeibat in South Kordofan brining them to a few kilometers to reaching Dilling, but was pushed out by RSF, which advanced to the southern outskirts of El Obeid.
Videos
Graphic contents ahead. Viewer discretion advised.
In this video, RSF soldiers are seen outside a checkpoint in Rahid Al-Nuba. We geolocated this video to this location: 14°49'19"N 31°32'32"E.
In this video, RSF soldiers are seen executing a war prisoner. According to social media users, the video was filmed in Umm Sumaymah following the RSF takeover of the town.
In this video, RSF soldiers are seen roaming one of the streets inside Umm Sumaymah after they captured it from the Sudanese Armed Forces. The RSF media personality and officer seen talking said it was July 31, 2025.
Another video showing RSF elements executing a Sudanese military war prisoner in Umm Summaymah.