Sudanese army pushes toward el-Geneina, kills RSF commander in West Darfur
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Sudan’s military and allied forces repelled successive RSF attacks in the Bir Saliba area of West Darfur in early August, killing a senior paramilitary commander. The counteroffensive has tightened pressure on RSF supply lines along the Chad border, potentially setting the stage for a decisive battle for el-Geneina, the RSF’s last stronghold in the region.
The Bir Saliba Counteroffensive
In early August, Sudan’s military and allied groups from the Joint Force of Armed Struggle Movements repelled two successive RSF attacks on Bir Saliba, a strategic area 30 km north of el-Geneina. Darfur Regional Governor Minni Arko Minnawi announced that Major General Mahdi Adam, known as “Jebel Moon,” a top RSF commander, was killed in the fighting. The RSF has not confirmed the death, but if verified, it would mark a significant leadership loss for the paramilitary group along the western front.
Supply Lines and Border Crossings
Government-aligned forces have seized control of crossings and desert routes along the border with Chad, disrupting RSF supply lines. Joint Force spokesman Major Mutawakkil Ali Wakil Abu-Ja said they destroyed over 38 combat vehicles and seized 27 others, with fleeing fighters leaving casualties behind. Air strikes on an RSF convoy near the Chad border further isolated the group, according to Major General Othman Siraj.
The Push for el-Geneina
The counteroffensive aims to secure the western axis and increase pressure on the RSF before what Abu-Ja described as a decisive battle for el-Geneina, the RSF’s last stronghold in Darfur. Governor Bahr al-Din Adam Karama of West Darfur noted that Bir Saliba’s road network links el-Geneina to northwest areas like Jebel Moon and Kulbus, giving the location strategic importance. The RSF attempted an encirclement of Bir Saliba from north of Kulbus and Jebel Moon, but the Joint Force thwarted the assault, Minnawi said.
What's Next
The Sudanese army and allies are poised to launch a decisive assault on el-Geneina, with the RSF facing mounting losses and disrupted supply routes. However, the RSF has not confirmed its commander’s death, and a protracted battle for the city could still unfold, leaving the outcome uncertain.
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Sudanese army pushes toward el-Geneina, kills RSF commander in West Darfur
