March 25, 2026

Source: Addis Standard

Addis Abeba – A Sudanese governor aligned with the country’s military has accused Ethiopia of supporting a recent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied fighters near the Sudan–Ethiopia border, according to a report by AFP.

Abdelatty al-Faki, governor of Kurmuk province in Sudan’s Blue Nile state, claimed that forces behind the attack on the strategic town of Kurmuk “set out from inside Ethiopian territory and are supported by Ethiopia,” describing the situation as an “invasion.”

Speaking from the Blue Nile state capital Damazin, Faki said that “to date, 433 families from Kurmuk have arrived in Damazin, while a certain number of people remain blocked” between the two areas. He said other civilians had crossed into Ethiopia in search of safety.

The accusation comes a day after the RSF said it had captured Kurmuk and nearby areas following intense fighting with Sudanese army forces.

The RSF said yesterday its forces, together with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), had seized control of Kurmuk and nearby areas following what it described as “fierce” fighting. It claimed that more than 400 opposing troops were killed and dozens, including senior officers, were captured. The group also said it had taken control of dozens of military vehicles and tanks. These claims could not be independently verified, and the Sudanese army has yet to respond.

Fighting has escalated in recent days, with clashes reported on multiple fronts around Kurmuk and the nearby town of Jurut, where control is said to have shifted between the Sudanese army and the RSF-SPLM-N alliance.

Residents reported heavy clashes involving explosions and sustained gunfire. Some civilians fled the area, while others remained sheltering in their homes as basic services were disrupted.

Kurmuk, located along a key corridor linking Sudan to Ethiopia, has witnessed renewed clashes in recent days as fighting intensifies between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, who have been at war since April 2023.

This marks the second time this week that a Sudanese government official has made such claims. Earlier, an official alleged that fighters linked to the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) entered Blue Nile state through Ethiopian territory during a recent offensive on Kurmuk. The official further claimed that combat vehicles were seen moving from Assosa toward border areas before the attack was launched.

The accusations follow report by Reuters last month, which cited multiple diplomatic and security sources, as well as satellite imagery, alleging that Ethiopia is hosting a training camp for RSF-linked fighters in the Benishangul-Gumuz region near the Sudanese border. The report said the facility could be used to support recruitment efforts. Ethiopian authorities have not publicly responded to the claims, while the United Arab Emirates denied any involvement.

Similar accusations have been made previously. In early February, Sudanese officials alleged that RSF and SPLM-N fighters entered Blue Nile via Ethiopian territory during an assault on Deim Mansour in Kurmuk County.

A senior Sudanese government official told Sudan Tribune that fighters affiliated with the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) entered Sudan via Ethiopian territory, citing the Benishangul-Gumuz region and a crossing point at Yabus. The official further alleged that drones used in  strikes were launched from locations inside Ethiopia, which he claimed were overseen by the United Arab Emirates.

The official said Sudanese forces had been tracking the movement for several days and pledged that the army would defend the border against what he described as a “foreign-backed attack.” Ethiopia’s government has not responded to this allegation either.