Sudan Army advances in Bir Saliba as pressure mounts on Rapid Support Forces

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied armed groups have reported fresh territorial gains following the repulsion of two Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacks on the strategic Bir Saliba region in western Sudan over the past two days. These developments may pave the way for increased military pressure on El Geneina, the last major stronghold of the RSF in Darfur. Bir Saliba sits on the northern axis leading to El Geneina, connecting the city to north-western Darfur regions, including Jebel Moon and Kulbus. The SAF is attempting to cut RSF supply lines and secure border crossings and desert routes leading to Chad to shift military focus toward El Geneina. Minni Arko Minnawi, Governor of Darfur, announced that Major General Mahdi Jebel Moon, commander of the western axis and field commander of the RSF's 128th Brigade, was killed during clashes in the Hajar al-Marfa'in and Bir Saliba areas. Jebel Moon previously commanded RSF artillery in Khartoum before taking charge of operations in West Darfur. Minnawi stated on Facebook that joint forces thwarted an RSF attempt to encircle Bir Saliba, which had been launched from two axes: north of Kulbus and from the direction of Silea. He claimed the attackers relied on surprise to breach defensive lines but were defeated. Bahr al-Din Adam Karama, Governor of West Darfur, confirmed that the SAF and joint forces repelled a large-scale RSF attack in Bir Saliba, located 30 kilometres north of El Geneina. Major Mutawakil Ali Wakil Abuja, spokesperson for the joint forces, claimed that their units destroyed over 38 military vehicles and seized 27 others along with equipment. He also reported the death of the attacking commander and several fighters, though these claims have not been independently verified. Retired Major General and military expert Osman Siraj noted that Sudanese Air Force strikes on mobile columns along desert border routes have intensified the isolation of the RSF. He added that simultaneous pressure on multiple fronts denies the RSF the opportunity to regroup. Fadel Kaya, an advisor to the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council, stated that recent victories indicate an RSF retreat. In North Kordofan, the RSF has increased its use of drones to compensate for the loss of the strategic export route between Omdurman and El Obeid, which the SAF recaptured on 27 July. Amin Ishaq Zakaria, spokesperson for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Council, described the increased drone usage as a sign of the RSF's inability to engage in direct combat, adding that armed forces had seized several suicide drones in the Jebra al-Sheikh sector. The International Organization for Migration reported on 8 August that more than 6,550 people have been displaced from 11 villages in Sirba locality following intensified fighting. According to UN estimates, more than 13 million people have been displaced internally or have fled to other countries since the war began in April 2023. Al Jazeera Net attempted to obtain comment from the RSF regarding the Bir Saliba attack and reported casualties but received no response by the time of publication. On 4 August, the RSF had claimed via field sources that they had taken control of the area, a claim that was also not independently verified.