Sudanese army captures Bara in major setback for RSF

NORTH KORDOFAN – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), together with the Joint Force of Armed groups, announced on Thursday, September 11,2025, that their troops had seized full control of the strategic city of Bara in North Kordofan after what both sides described as fierce fighting with the paramilitary the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In a statement released by the SAF, the command declared: “We announce today the entry of your forces into the city of Bara with determination, resolve, and capability.” The announcement marked one of the most significant battlefield gains for the military in recent months, coming amid a prolonged struggle from dominance across Sudan.

According to the joint communiques, the operation involved the Sudanese Armed Forces alongside the Popular Resistance, the Sudan Shield militia, and the Al-Bara bin Malik militia. Together, they claimed to have stormed Bara “by force and capability” and “purged it” of RSF presence. The statements emphasized the coordinated nature of the offensive, describing it as an example of unity between the army and allied armed groups that have thrown their weight behind the fight against the RSF.

The Joint Force added that during the battle it destroyed RSF Group No. (449) completely, leaving behind what its called a large number of casualties along with abandoned weapons, vehicles, and other equipment. “The complete destruction of this RSF formation clears the way for future advances,” the statement said, presenting the takeover of Bara as both tactical and psychological blow to the RSF.

The Joint Force also issued a warning to what it described as “the remnants of the militia,” urging them to cease resistance and avoid further losses. It argued that the capture of Bara not only consolidates government control in North Kordofan but also paves the road toward the contested city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. El Fasher has long been a stronghold and supply hub for the RSF and has endured months of siege, clashes, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Bara itself holds considerable strategic weight situated at the intersection of critical transport routes, the city links Sudan’s central regions to the war-ravaged western states. Military experts note that whoever commands Bara ssecures vital supply lines and staging grounds for wider operations. Its fall to the army and its allied could shift the balance in North Kordofan, offering a foothold for expanded campaigns deeper into Darfur. For the RSF, losing Bara represents both a logistical setback and a dent to its image of resilience.

The announcement comes as Sudan’s war drags into its third year, leaving much of the country in ruin. Since fighting erupted in April 2023, the conflict between the army and the RSF has displaced millions, destroyed infrastructure, and pushed communities into famine-like conditions. Humanitarian agencies warn that the suffering is intensifying as battles spread to previously stable regions, leaving civilians trapped between front lines with little access to aid.

While both the army and the RSF continue to declare victories, territorial control remains fluid and contested. Analysts caution that although  the fall of Bara is significant development, it is unlikely to be decisive in a war that has become increasingly fragmented and unpredictable. Still, for the army and its allies, the capture of Bara offers a rare moment of momentum and a symbolic claim of progress in a conflict that shows few signs of ending soon.