The Sudanese army has lost control of the strategic Sali military base in Blue Nile State after an offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). Fighters entered Sali on Tuesday morning after approaching from Kurmuk to the south and Sirkum to the west, according to local accounts. The operation followed several previous attempts by the coalition to capture the army position.
The Sali base is located approximately 30 kilometres south of Dindiro and 100 kilometres south of Ed Damazin, the state capital. Footage showing armed RSF fighters outside Sali Health Centre was verified and geolocated. The Sudan Founding Alliance (Ta'sis), the umbrella coalition that includes the RSF and SPLM-N forces commanded by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, announced the operation on Tuesday.
Ta'sis described the capture of the base as a major military victory and said its forces had inflicted heavy losses on government troops. The coalition claimed that numerous soldiers were killed or taken prisoner and that the army abandoned weapons and military equipment during its retreat. However, the army had not released a response to the reported loss of the base by the time of publication.
The announcement followed an army statement on Monday in which the 4th Infantry Division said it had repelled attacks on Sali and Bakori. The division reported heavy losses among the attacking forces but did not disclose figures. The latest operation came after the military had repeatedly reported defending Sali against coalition assaults, including attacks in April and October.
Sali is located along a route connecting the southern border region with Dindiro and Ed Damazin. Its loss would weaken the army's positions along this corridor and give the coalition a forward position for further operations towards the state capital. The current campaign in southern Blue Nile began in March, when the RSF and SPLM-N launched an offensive that culminated in the capture of Kurmuk on March 23.
The coalition has made significant gains in the region, including the capture of Kurmuk, Sirkum, and Geisan. RSF fighters captured the Sirkum military garrison on June 20. Government troops later returned to the nearby village, although available footage did not establish that they had retaken the garrison. Since its August offensive, the coalition has also reported taking positions around Dokan, Khor Hassan, and Karn Karn, among other locations in Kurmuk locality.
In Tuesday's announcement, Ta'sis said its forces intended to continue operations against remaining army positions. The alliance also said it would protect civilians in areas under its control and urged residents to avoid locations where fighting was taking place. The coalition's claims about casualties, prisoners, and captured equipment have not been independently confirmed.
Key points
- The RSF and SPLM-N captured the strategic Sali military base in Blue Nile State, extending their reach north of Kurmuk.
- The coalition claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on government troops and captured or killed numerous soldiers.
- The loss of Sali weakens the army's positions along the corridor to Dindiro and Ed Damazin, and gives the coalition a forward position for further operations.
