The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied armed groups have made significant territorial gains in West Kordofan State, capturing Al-Khuwai and several surrounding villages. This development brings government-aligned forces closer to Al-Nahud, a major stronghold of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The offensive began on November 5, with army units and fighters from the Joint Force of former Darfur rebel movements attacking RSF positions west and south of El-Obeid.
The army and its allies expanded their operations, advancing southwest from northern North Kordofan before pushing south toward West Kordofan. Other forces moved west from Umm Sumayma, culminating in the capture of Al-Khuwai, the administrative headquarters of Al-Khuwai Locality, and several nearby settlements, including Serif Ankoush, Umm Labana, and Al-Dudiya. The capture of Al-Khuwai represents a significant territorial gain for government-aligned forces.
Al-Khuwai is one of the main towns in northern West Kordofan and had been under RSF control since May 2025. The town's recapture gives government-aligned forces access to roads leading west toward Al-Nahud, where the RSF maintains a substantial military presence. The military importance of Al-Nahud extends beyond West Kordofan, as it lies along the Al-Sadarat Highway, a major transport route connecting central Sudan with Darfur.
The Joint Force has taken a prominent role in publicizing the latest operations, including the capture of Umm Sumayma west of El-Obeid. In a statement, the Joint Force said its fighters and the Sudanese army had engaged RSF forces in heavy fighting, capturing several areas and resulting in the death of an RSF field commander and several fighters. The group also reported destroying 20 combat vehicles and capturing another 40.
The Sudanese army had not issued a separate statement on the capture of Al-Khuwai at the time of publication. The latest gains have brought the army and its allies closer to Al-Nahud, one of the RSF's most important positions in West Kordofan and a major gateway to Darfur. The RSF captured Al-Nahud on May 1, 2025, after attacking the city from the north and west.
The capture of Al-Khuwai marks the army's return to a locality it lost more than a year ago. The RSF had also taken Babanusa and Heglig, effectively bringing the whole of West Kordofan under its control. Regaining Al-Nahud would give the army a potential route for moving troops and supplies farther west, although the RSF continues to hold territory between the army's current positions and Darfur.
The Sudanese Armed Forces' advances in West Kordofan State are part of a broader effort to regain control of territory lost to the RSF. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian and economic costs, with thousands of civilians displaced and infrastructure damaged. The situation remains volatile, with both sides vying for control of key territories.
Key points
- The Sudanese Armed Forces have captured Al-Khuwai and surrounding villages in West Kordofan State.
- The capture of Al-Khuwai brings government-aligned forces closer to Al-Nahud, a major stronghold of the Rapid Support Forces.
- The recapture of Al-Khuwai represents a significant territorial gain for government-aligned forces, which have been seeking to expand westward from El-Obeid.
