The Kordofan campaign is the theater of the War in Sudan that takes place in the 3 states that make up the Kordofan region: North Kordofan, South Kordofan and West Kordofan. The campaign began on 15 April 2023, when the RSF claimed to have taken control of the airport in El Obeid, happening on the same day that the war began. Multiple major battles have been fought, including the Siege of El Obeid and the Battle of Kadugli.
The offensive has been marked by heavy fighting between both sides due to the strategic location it provides to Darfur, as well as its access to oilfields like Heglig.
Background
On 15 April 2023, RSF forces attacked SAF units and took control of various areas around Sudan's capital, Khartoum, beginning the Sudanese civil war. Clashes were reported across several parts of the city, including Khartoum International Airport and the Presidential Palace. Clashes were also reported in the city of El Fasher and Nyala in Darfur, beginning the Darfur campaign.
Campaign
2023
El Obeid
The beginning of the Kordofan Campaign was on 15 April, when the RSF claimed to have seized control of the El Obeid Airport. Explosions were later heard in the city on 20 April, while clashes persisted into the next day, resulting in an IOM employee being killed in the crossfire.
On 1 June, officials from the World Food Programme stated that enough food to feed 4.4 million people was stolen from their warehouses in the city. On 11 June, it was reported that El Obeid was under siege by the RSF. The SAF conducted its first airstrikes on RSF positions in the city on 14 June. Clashes resumed between the RSF and SAF on 9 July. The SAF claimed that the 5th Infantry Division killed 26 paramilitaries and destroyed two combat vehicles belonging to the RSF in the Farajallah area in the city on 11 August. Fourteen people were killed in clashes between the SAF and RSF on 30 August.
On 17 September, the SAF and RSF clashed again in El Obeid, with the army inflicting losses on the RSF's forces outside the city. The RSF then retaliated by shelling the city causing civilian casualties. Four more people were killed in clashes on 8 October.
SPLM–N involvement
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North began mobilizing its forces around the city of Kadugli and South Kordofan on 8 June, taking control of army bases despite having a ceasefire agreement with the SAF. This then led to the SPLM–N breaking the ceasefire and attacking SAF forces in the region on 21 June, including in Kadugli and Dalang, with the RSF later attacking Dalang as well. The SAF claimed to have repelled all the attacks. The SPLM–N was reported to have temporarily taken control of the town's police station and claimed control over the road connecting it to Kadugli.
The SPLM–N seized control of the SAF's bases in Servaya, El Tagola, and Um Heitan in South Kordofan on 3 July. On 9 July, the SPLM–N blocked the road from Karkal to Kadugli. They then seized control of Karkaraya oil field near Dalang and attacked the SAF's 14th Infantry Headquarters in Kadugli with Katyusha rockets on 15 July. On 28 July, the SAF retreated from Mardis, its last stronghold in the Dalami area in the Habila, due to the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) presence. One child was killed and three more were injured by SPLM–N shelling on SAF positions in Kadugli on 29 July. Clashes occurred again in Kadugli on the 69th founding anniversary of the SAF on 14 August. The SAF later attacked SPLM–N positions east of Kadugli Airport and in the mountains behind Hajar El Mek on 25 August. Fighting between the SAF and the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) broke out in Kahliyat, South Kordofan on 27 August. The SPLM–N (al-Hilu) attacked SAF positions in Dalami, South Kordofan. The SPLM–N attacked an SAF base in Kadugli on 3 September. The SAF later repelled an attack on Kadugli from the SPLM–N on 27 September.
On 24 October, the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) attacked the town of Lagawa, West Kordofan. Four people were killed after the RSF attacked and destroyed the village of Tukma, which hosted a garrison of the SPLM–N (al-Hilu), in South Kordofan on 5 December.
Elsewhere
The SAF claimed that RSF forces in the city of Kadugli had surrendered and the base there had been seized on 15 April. The RSF reportedly took control of Wad Banda in West Kordofan on 25 April, and clashes in the state continued into the next day. Clashes continued into the next day, with fighter jets reportedly being used.
Reports on 21 June said that the RSF had taken control of the Teiba military base near Dibebad in clashes that left 40 SAF personnel and four paramilitaries dead. Thirty-three SAF personnel were also taken prisoner. On 5 July, the RSF attacked and pillaged the town of Bara in North Kordofan. The RSF reportedly ambushed and dispersed an SAF convoy north of Dalang in South Kordofan on 16 July. Clashes between the RSF and Kababish tribe in North Kordofan left 41 people dead on 22 July. 2 people were later killed when the RSF plundered the town of Um Rawaba.
At least four paramilitaries and an unknown number of civilians and soldiers were killed in clashes in Um Rawaba on 1 August. The Governor of North Kordofan announced a curfew from 19:00 to 05:00 and banned the use of motorcycles and electric scooters throughout the state following recent clashes on 2 August. UNISFA said that one of its helicopters was attacked in Kadugli on 10 August. Fighting broke out between the SAF and the RSF in the town of Al-Fulah, West Kordofan, resulting in the looting of government facilities, banks and other offices on 16 August.
The RSF retreated from Um Rawaba, North Kordofan on 13 September. On 1 October, RSF claimed to have seized the SAF garrison in Wad Ashana and attacked another at Kilometer 44, west and southwest of Um Rawaba. Four people were killed in clashes between the SAF and armed residents from the Misseriya tribe in Muglad, West Kordofan on 4 October. On the morning of 30 October, the RSF commanded by Hussein Barsham claimed to have taken the Balila oilfield and its airport in West Kordofan, along with 15 SAF vehicles before withdrawing in the evening. It also accused the SAF of burning the airport, while 16 people wearing "military uniforms" were reported killed.
Seven people were killed in SAF bombing in El Hamra, North Kordofan on 20 November. The RSF reportedly took control of an administrative unit in El Odeya, West Kordofan, following the withdrawal of SAF forces in the area on 23 November. The RSF attacked the SAF garrison near Babanusa, West Kordofan, the next day. 4 people were killed in an SAF airstrike in Kokoti, North Kordofan on 2 December. 5 more people were killed in SAF airstrikes in Jabra al-Sheikh, North Kordofan on 7 December. The RSF seized control of Habila, South Kordofan on 31 December.
2024
The RSF attacked the town of Bara, North Kordofan on 2 January.
Babanusa
5 people were killed in clashes between the SAF and the RSF in Donki El Omda, west of Babanusa on 22 January. Eight others were killed in SAF airstrikes in villages west of Muglad. 2 days later, the RSF launched an offensive to seize Babanusa and the garrison of the SAF's 22nd Infantry Division in the city. At least 23 people were reported to have been killed while 30 others were injured. Sudan War Monitor reported that the RSF had taken over most of Babanusa and indicated that its fighters had penetrated the headquarters of the SAF's 22nd Infantry Division on 26 January. A temporary ceasefire was declared in Babanusa at the end of the month to allow the evacuation of civilians following mediation by the Misseriya paramount chief, Mukhtar Babu Nimr, and other tribal leaders.
5 people were killed in an RSF raid on the village of El Doudiya, West Kordofan on 7 March. Four paramilitaries were subsequently killed after being pursued by armed residents into Um Samima, North Kordofan on the same day. Three people were killed in an SAF airstrike in Shuaa, West Kordofan on 22 March.
Over 100 people were killed on 8 April in attacks by the RSF on SPLM–N (al-Hilu) controlled villages in South Kordofan. Shelling in El Obeid on 18 April killed one person. On 7 May, the SAF claimed to have retaken the Jabal al-Ain military base and the nearby village of Abu al-Ghar, 20 kilometers east of El Obeid, from the RSF, as well as the headquarters of the Police Central Reserve Forces in the city. Both the SAF and the RSF also claimed control of Mount Kordofan, 20 kilometers east of El Obeid. 15 people were later killed in an RSF attack on the Abu Haraz market in El Obeid on 12 May. The RSF claimed to have taken Um Rawaba, North Kordofan, for a second time on 19 May. On 9 June, the SAF claimed to have broken the RSF siege on the 22nd Infantry Division garrison in Babanusa, in addition to retaking the Al-Salam, Al-Posta, and Al-Sikka neighbourhoods as well as the city's markets.
Al-Fulah
On 20 June, the RSF, led by commander Salih Al-Foti, captured Al-Fulah, the capital of West Kordofan, from the SAF after some fighting which started the previous day. The 91st Infantry Brigade retreated from the city towards Babanusa, allowing the RSF to take control over several other key areas in the state, including Al-Meiram, which was captured on 5 July after the city's garrison fled to South Sudan. Dozens of civilians were left dead or wounded and 60% of the city's population fled. Videos also emerged showing RSF fighters executing tens of military detainees, as well as alleged Ethiopian mercenaries raising their country's flag in the city.
23 people were killed in an RSF attack on a merchants' convoy travelling from Fanquqa to Um Sumaima in North Kordofan on 13 July. Clashes broke out between the SAF and the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) on 18 August in Kador, South Kordofan, after SAF warplanes reportedly dropped military supplies on an SPLM–N camp by accident. Reports said that the SPLM–N camp was taken by the SAF following the fighting.
On 5 October, at least 30 people were killed and more than 100 others were injured in SAF airstrikes on Hamrat al-Sheikh and Abu Zuama in North Kordofan. At least 20 people were killed in an RSF attack on the village of Al-Damukiya, near El Obeid on 8 October. The Sudanese government began airlifting humanitarian aid towards Kadugli and Junud in South Kordofan in November. On 4 November, three people, including two militia leaders and a police officer, were killed in clashes between police and the Reserve Forces, a tribal militia allied with the SAF, in En Nahud, West Kordofan. The RSF launched drone attacks on Wad Ashana in North Kordofan on 17 December.
2025
The SAF retook Karkaraia and Hajar al-Jawad, on the road between Dalang and Kadugli in South Kordofan, from the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) on 13 January. On 30 January, the SAF retook the city of Umm Ruwaba in North Kordofan, advancing towards El Obeid. They also shot down ten drones over El Obeid The SAF took control of the city of Er Rahad in North Kordofan on 17 February, as well as Sidra 2 days later.
7 people were killed in an RSF attack on Al Khiwai, West Kordofan on 9 March. The RSF claimed to have taken Lagawa in West Kordofan on 23 March. On 31 March, the RSF claimed to have taken Khor El Dalaib in South Kordofan following clashes that left 12 civilians dead. It also claimed to have killed 70 fighters of the Islamic Movement, and destroyed or captured 13 vehicles. Several people were killed on 7 April in a joint RSF and SPLM–N (al-Hilu) attack in Rashad, South Kordofan.
On 1 May, the RSF took En Nahud in West Kordofan, killing 19 people. The SAF retook the towns of Al-Khuwayyi in West Kordofan and Al-Hamadi in South Kordofan from the RSF on 11 and 13 May. 10 people were killed by SPLM–N (al-Hilu) shelling in Kadugli, while the SAF took Al-Tareeda and Al-Dakka in Qadeer, South Kordofan, from the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) on 16 May. The SAF retook the Um Libana area in West Kordofan on 19 May. The SAF and its allies then announced the capture of Ed Dubeibat in South Kordofan on 23 May.
On 7 June, the RSF and the SPLM–N (al-Hilu) took the town of Um Dehilib, South Kordofan. The SAF captured Al-Riash and Kazgali in North Kordofan from the RSF on 7 July. Muhannad Ibrahim Fadl, commander of the SAF-allied Al-Bara' ibn Malik Battalion, was killed in an RSF ambush on an SAF reconnaissance unit west of El Obeid on 20 August. On 22 August, The SAF claimed to have destroyed 130 RSF combat vehicles and captured 92 others following clashes in Abu Qawad, near El Obeid.