Sudanese Militia Seize Back River Towns, Escalating Conflict in the Region

Recent events have shown that Sudan's militia organization, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has announced that it has retaken the town of Kurmuk, located along the Blue Nile River, which had been under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for the past month.

To understand the context of this development, it is necessary to recall the origins and evolution of the RSF. Initially, the RSF was established as a paramilitary armed force under the Sudanese government, known as the Janjaweed. These militia fighters had been used in the war in the Darfur region and were later reconstituted in August 2013 as a militia organization under the leadership of Muhammad Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

Since 2023, RSF has been at war with SAF, vying for control of Sudan, after the two forces merged to seize power in a 2021 coup. RSF has gradually become the dominant force in Sudan's military and politics. In 2025, RSF allied with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM–N) to establish a parallel government known as the Government of Peace and Unity.

However, RSF's actions have also sparked widespread controversy. According to numerous investigative reports, RSF has committed numerous war crimes in the Darfur region and in the states of Khartoum and Gezira, targeting non-Arab ethnic groups and the Ja'alin and Shaigiya Arab tribes in northern Sudan, who are perceived as supporting SAF.

In addition, the United Arab Emirates has been accused by various parties of secretly providing significant financial support to RSF. RSF has also obtained soldiers and weapons from neighboring Chad.

According to RSF's latest statement, they have retaken Kurmuk, but the exact circumstances of this event remain shrouded in uncertainty. SAF continues to occupy most of Sudan, and the effectiveness of RSF's actions in changing the situation remains to be seen.

However, the recent event has led people to re-examine the complexity of the Sudanese civil war and the true intentions of RSF. This news has also heightened skepticism about the regional and international security situation from the Middle East.

For Taiwan, the development of RSF is also a matter of concern. RSF's militia organization has been viewed as an extremist trend within the Arab world, and this trend may have far-reaching implications for regional and global security. The Taiwanese government should remain vigilant and actively work with the international community to promote peace and stability in the region.