The Sudanese army has recaptured the strategic town of Karmak in Blue Nile state after engaging in battles with the Rapid Support Forces [1, 2, 3].
Control of Karmak is significant due to its location in the Blue Nile region near the border with Ethiopia. Securing this area allows the military to stabilize a volatile frontier and potentially disrupt the movement of opposing forces in the region.
Sudanese military sources said the army entered the town on Wednesday, July 8, 2024 [1, 2]. The operation followed intense combat with the Rapid Support Forces to regain control of the urban center [2].
Following the initial seizure of the town, the army began sweeping and clearing operations to ensure the area is fully secure [1, 3]. These operations aim to remove remaining threats and secure critical infrastructure within the town [3].
Abdul al-Aati al-Faki, the governor of Karmak, said the town is currently safe and stable. He said the army is continuing its combing operations to finalize the security of the area [1].
While the town is under military control, the return of displaced residents is not yet permitted. Al-Faki said the return of those who fled will be delayed slightly until the clearing process is complete [1].
Local sources said the town is a strategic point in the Blue Nile region [3]. The recapture is part of a broader effort by the Sudanese army to reclaim territory from the Rapid Support Forces across the country [1, 2].
“The Sudanese army has recaptured the strategic town of Karmak in Blue Nile state.”
The recapture of Karmak represents a tactical victory for the Sudanese army in a geographically sensitive area. Because the town sits near the Ethiopian border, its stability is crucial for preventing the conflict from spilling over into neighboring territories or allowing external logistics to support the Rapid Support Forces. The focus on 'clearing operations' before allowing civilians to return indicates a high level of caution regarding insurgent remnants or improvised explosives within the city.
