Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have announced the capture of a crucial area near the Egyptian border, escalating the ongoing internal conflict with the country’s military. The seized location, located in Sudan’s Northern State and identified as Wadi Halfa, lies near a key crossing point into Egypt.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the RSF claimed it took full control of the border region and its infrastructure “without resistance.” They added that their fighters are now managing checkpoints and overseeing traffic in and out of the area.
Wadi Halfa, a quiet desert town with historical significance, sits along the banks of the Nile and serves as a critical junction for both trade and movement between Sudan and Egypt. Its takeover could mark a strategic win for the RSF, which has been locked in a violent power struggle with Sudan’s regular army since April 2023.
The RSF’s growing influence in the north signals a widening of the conflict, previously concentrated in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan. While the army has yet to officially comment on the RSF’s claim, Sudanese sources have expressed concern that this move could complicate humanitarian access and border coordination with Egypt.
The fighting between the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and the Sudanese Armed Forces under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has caused widespread displacement, civilian deaths, and a deepening humanitarian crisis across the country.
There has been no immediate reaction from Egypt regarding the RSF’s claim. However, analysts suggest Cairo will likely be alarmed by RSF’s proximity to its border, especially amid regional concerns over instability spilling beyond Sudan’s frontiers.
As of now, the situation on the ground remains fluid, with fears growing that the conflict could further fragment Sudan and pull in external actors if border zones become militarized.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.