[SudanTribune] A high-ranking government official said on Saturday that the Sudanese army is preparing to repel a planned attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies on the towns of Kurmuk and Geissan in the Blue Nile region, launched from Ethiopian territory.Last June, the army managed to push the RSF and its allies out of areas in the Blue Nile in southeastern Sudan. Following military strikes, those forces withdrew to areas bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan.
“We confirm the army’s readiness to confront hostile action in the coming weeks against the districts of Kurmuk and Geissan originating from Ethiopia,” the official told Sudan Tribune.
He asserted that Ethiopia has opened its territory to train RSF fighters and allied forces in four border areas within the Benishangul-Gumuz region, which borders the Blue Nile region.
The official noted that training camps—housing the RSF, the SPLM-N (Joseph Touka faction), forces loyal to Obaid Abu Shotal, and mercenaries from Ethiopia and South Sudan—have been filled with military equipment in preparation for the assault.
Obaid Abu Shotal, a tribal leader, joined the RSF at the start of the conflict in April 2023 and participated in battles in Khartoum and the Blue Nile. Meanwhile, the SPLM-N fights alongside the RSF after the two formed the “Ta’asis” alliance. The SPLM-N deputy chairman, Joseph Touka, oversees the Blue Nile front.
The official stated that the Sudanese government has monitored the presence of Abu Shotal, Joseph Touka, and RSF commanders in Assosa, the capital of the Benishangul-Gumuz region.
He further reported that the government detected the delivery of massive military hardware from the UAE at two airbases in Benishangul, which is expected to be used in the attack on Kurmuk and Geissan.
On Thursday, activists circulated satellite imagery showing the completion of two new aircraft hangars at Assosa Airport, along with ongoing construction work, including ground improvements and facility upgrades.
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