The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced Friday they have captured the town of al-Mazroub in North Kordofan state, a significant victory against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. Fierce battles preceded the capture, resulting in casualties and heavy equipment losses for the RSF, according to a military statement.

The capture of al-Mazroub is a strategic gain for the SAF, as the town is considered the RSF's largest stronghold in North Kordofan. Its strategic location links North and West Kordofan states, making its control crucial for both sides.

Army Special Forces spokesman Mohammed Deidan stated that seizing al-Mazroub advances the army's objective of severing the RSF's supply lines. The SAF urged citizens in the "liberated areas" to return to normal life, assuring them of safety.

The Kordofan region has become a central battleground in Sudan's ongoing conflict. Fighting has intensified there since late 2025, with the region situated where the SAF-controlled central areas meet the RSF-controlled Darfur in the west. Since the war began in April 2023, one in five recorded attacks across Sudan have occurred in Kordofan.

The SAF generally holds the upper hand in the northern parts of the region, while the RSF maintains control in the west, and South Kordofan remains contested. This territorial division highlights the strategic importance of controlling key towns like al-Mazroub.

Adding to the complex ethnic and political landscape, the Sudan Doctors Network recently accused the RSF-allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) of an artillery attack in Dilling, South Kordofan. The SPLM-N, a splinter group from South Sudan's governing party, has aligned with the RSF.

The conflict between the SAF and RSF, which began in April 2023, has had devastating consequences, displacing millions and creating a severe humanitarian crisis. The battle for control of key regions like Kordofan is central to the war's progression.

Further analysis of the conflict indicates that control over Kordofan's corridor, which links eastern and western Sudan, is vital for logistical and strategic dominance. The intensified fighting in this region underscores its importance in the broader struggle for power.