Sudanese Army Pushes Toward Capital
The Sudanese Armed Forces (saf) broke through the front lines in Khartoum North (aka Bahri) on Friday, freeing its headquarters and the troops defending it from a nearly two-year siege.
Why it matters: This is a major win for the Iran-backed saf in its civil war against Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (rsf). It marks a turning point in this war and increases Iran’s chances of gaining influence over the nation.
- Control of Sudan would strengthen Iran’s power in the Red Sea, “the most important trade route in the world.”
Momentum shift: The rsf encircled the saf headquarters when the war started in April 2023. Due to the rsf’s initial success, hopes to free it were bleak. The saf lost nearly every battle in the war’s first 18 months.
But the momentum has since shifted. In an offensive that started around September, the saf has consistently pushed the rsf back on multiple fronts.
- The rsf hasn’t had a significant victory since July.
- The saf retook the large, strategic city of Wad Madani about two weeks before taking Khartoum North and has used that to push at Khartoum from the south.
Bahri is immediately north of Khartoum, and the saf’s victory on Friday sets the stage for a push to take the capital.
- The saf now controls at least half of Bahri, a city previously dominated by the rsf.
- This is the first time the saf has been able to reinforce southern Bahri and central Khartoum.
- The rsf controls most of Khartoum, but its positions are now harder to hold.
- Neither side has fully controlled Khartoum in this conflict.
Khartoum’s advantages: Taking the capital would significantly aid the saf’s political and military goals.
- Politically, it would support the claim that the saf is the only legitimate power in Sudan.
- Militarily, it would increase the saf’s chances of victory by strengthening its control over the Nile River’s eastern bank.
If the saf gained control of both shores, it would be in a great position to attack the rsf’s strongholds in west Sudan, make it extremely difficult for the rsf to recross the river and take saf strongholds in the East, and possibly split rsf battalions from one another.
Prophesied influence: Bible prophecy shows that Iran will set up as many proxies as possible in Africa, especially along the Mediterranean and Red Sea. The saf’s success started soon after Iran began sending it aid.
Although the Bible doesn’t reveal whether Sudan will end up in Iran’s camp, this story shows how Tehran is pushing for control in the area.
Learn more: Read “Iran Is Conquering Sudan.”