A senior military commander allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has been killed during renewed fighting in Sudan’s Kordofan region, as clashes between government troops and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) spread across several front lines.
Brigadier General Haroun Mersal, popularly known as “Abu Taka,” died on Tuesday, November 3, during confrontations in the Um Shaeira area of North Kordofan, according to a statement released by the joint force.
His death comes amid an escalation of military operations involving the Sudanese army, allied armed groups and the RSF in North and West Kordofan.
The renewed clashes have raised further concerns about the security situation in a region that has become increasingly important to the wider conflict, particularly as both sides seek to strengthen their positions and control strategic locations.
Senior commander dies during Um Shaeira fighting
Mersal was serving as the commander of the joint force’s Kordofan operations axis when he was killed.
The armed group said he had participated in several battles across North, West and South Kordofan, as well as operations in Khartoum state.
He assumed leadership of the Kordofan operations after his predecessor, General Abdelaziz Ismail Niri, was killed in an airstrike in North Kordofan in late June 2026.
The latest death represents another significant loss for the military alliance operating alongside Sudan’s army in the region.
However, the joint force’s statement did not provide extensive details about the circumstances surrounding Mersal’s death or the number of casualties recorded during the latest confrontations.
Fighting spreads across North and West Kordofan
The renewed military activity began on Monday, with clashes reported between the Sudanese army and its allied forces on one side and RSF fighters on the other.
The confrontations have affected several areas across North and West Kordofan, where both sides are attempting to consolidate their positions.
The Sudanese army and its allied groups recently received reinforcements in the areas around Sodiri and Al Mazroub, according to the report.
The military alliance is preparing to advance towards Um Badr and Abu Zaeima in North Kordofan, alongside El Khowei and Al Nahud in West Kordofan.
These locations are important to the wider military campaign because control of towns and transport routes can influence the movement of troops and supplies across the region.
The RSF has also reinforced its positions, deploying additional fighters from neighbouring Darfur to the Kordofan battle zones.
The movement of reinforcements from Darfur highlights the importance of Kordofan to both sides as the conflict continues to develop beyond its original areas of confrontation.
Kordofan emerges as another major conflict front
Kordofan has become an increasingly important theatre in Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023 following a breakdown in relations between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF.
The region connects several strategically important areas, including parts of central Sudan and the western states of Darfur.
Its location makes control of key towns and roads important for military supply operations and territorial movements.
The fighting has also increased pressure on civilians, particularly those living in communities close to active battle zones.
As military operations intensify, residents face risks from bombardments, armed confrontations and disruptions to essential services.
The conflict has already triggered one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian emergencies, with millions of Sudanese forced to flee their homes.
Continued fighting in Kordofan could worsen the situation by making it more difficult for humanitarian organisations to reach vulnerable communities.
RSF reinforces positions as army prepares further advances
The latest developments indicate that both sides are preparing for further confrontations rather than moving towards an immediate reduction in hostilities.
The Sudanese army and its allied forces are positioning themselves for possible operations towards several towns in North and West Kordofan.
Meanwhile, the RSF’s reported deployment of reinforcements from Darfur suggests that the paramilitary group is also seeking to maintain its presence across the region.
Such movements could lead to additional clashes as the opposing forces attempt to secure strategic positions.
The death of Mersal may also affect the joint force’s command structure, although there has been no detailed announcement about who will replace him as head of the Kordofan operations axis.
Sudan’s war continues with no clear end in sight
The latest developments in Kordofan underline the continuing difficulty of ending Sudan’s conflict through military or diplomatic efforts.
Since fighting erupted in April 2023, the country has experienced widespread destruction, mass displacement, food shortages and the collapse of essential public services in several areas.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have continued military operations despite repeated international calls for a ceasefire and negotiations.
For civilians in Kordofan, the immediate concern is the possibility of further violence as reinforcements arrive and military operations expand.
Mersal’s death is another indication of the intensity of the fighting, but the broader consequences will depend on how both sides approach the coming days.
With the army preparing advances and the RSF strengthening its positions, Kordofan remains a major focus of Sudan’s continuing war.
