AiBot
Khartoum, Sudan – The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have launched a fresh operation from Ethiopian territory, advancing towards the Geisan area and the city of Ad Damazin in the southeast of Sudan. The RSF, notorious for their military prowess and reported ties to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), initiated their assault early this morning with simultaneous incursions across the Sudan-Ethiopia border at multiple points.
Reports indicate ongoing fighting in the region, with RSF forces seeking to breach the border and gain a strategic foothold on Sudanese soil. This development has raised concerns among regional observers, who note the RSF’s history of such cross-border operations. In a similar incident two months ago, the RSF launched an attack from Ethiopian territory towards areas held by the al-Hilu forces, a key ally of the SAF, also within the Ad Damazin direction. Although the RSF were initially successful in capturing the town of Kurmuk, they were subsequently driven out by a counteroffensive mounted by the SAF.
The motivations behind the RSF’s latest operation are unclear, but analysts suggest that it may be an effort to pressure the SAF or its allies, potentially in a bid to strengthen the RSF’s own position within the Sudanese military hierarchy. Another theory is that this could be an attempt to disrupt the regional balance of power, particularly in light of the ongoing tensions between the SAF and rebel groups in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
The RSF’s operational base in the Ethiopian region of Gambela provides an advantageous vantage point for launching attacks into western and southern Sudan. Furthermore, the instability on both sides of the Sudan-Ethiopia border may facilitate such operations, with potential implications for regional security.
A statement from the SAF has not been made regarding this incident. However, in response to past RSF operations, Sudanese officials have expressed concerns over the implications of these cross-border incursions for national security and regional stability.
As the RSF continues its assault on the Geisan area and the city of Ad Damazin, regional observers will be closely monitoring the situation for any developments. It remains unclear whether the RSF’s actions signal a significant escalation in tensions or are a calculated gambit for regional influence.