Sudanese army urges public mobilization against RSF paramilitary forces

A high-ranking Sudanese army commander has publicly urged citizens to enlist in a nationwide mobilization drive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amplifying a call initially made by Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The push for public participation comes amid a significant escalation in military operations in central Sudan's Kordofan region, where the army claims to have made substantial advances.

Recent Military Gains

The mobilization appeal is bolstered by reports of recent successes against the RSF. The Sudanese armed forces, alongside allied groups known as the Joint Force of Armed Movements, announced they have retaken control of several areas in North Kordofan, including Abu Sunun, Abu Qaoud, and Um Sayala. The military stated that several "vital sites" have been secured and pledged to continue its campaign "until the country is cleansed of rebellion."

The Commander's Call to Action

Ali Hassan Bello, the commander of the Blue Nile Air Defense Sector, praised what he termed "major victories" in the Kordofan axis against the "rebel militia." In comments carried by the state SUNA news agency, he expressed confidence that "victory is inevitable in the remaining cities still under siege." He directly encouraged Sudanese youth to answer the army chief's call to join the fight.

The Broader Conflict Context

The intensified focus on Kordofan follows a strategic shift in the war, which began in April 2023. After the RSF captured El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, last month, the conflict expanded into new fronts in central and southern Sudan. The RSF currently controls all five states of the Darfur region, while the army holds most of the country's other 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum. According to the World Health Organization, the conflict has resulted in at least 40,000 deaths and displaced 12 million people.