Sudanese Army Retakes Strategic Border Town of Kurmuk in Blue Nile

KURMUK, July 8, 2026 - The Sudanese army has regained control of the strategic border town of Kurmuk in the Blue Nile region after intense clashes with forces from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and a faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu. The army’s advance ends months of control by the RSF and its allied fighters, who captured Kurmuk on March 24 during a major military operation in the border area near Ethiopia. Sudanese authorities had previously accused Ethiopia of supporting the assault by allowing drone operations from Bahir Dar airport in the Amhara region. Ethiopian officials rejected the allegations. The recapture was confirmed by Brigadier General Abadi al-Tahir, commander of the army’s Al-Naba al-Yaqeen task force, who said government forces had inflicted significant losses on opposing fighters and equipment, forcing surviving forces to withdraw. The operation followed weeks of military movements by the army to secure areas surrounding Kurmuk and push RSF forces away from the strategic location. Located near Sudan’s border with Ethiopia, Kurmuk has historically been a key battlefield due to its strategic importance. The town has repeatedly changed control during Sudan’s long-running conflicts, including the decades-long civil war between Khartoum and the SPLM under the leadership of the late John Garang.