🇸🇩⚡- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have recaptured the border towns of Kulbus and Abu Suruj in the al-Genina direction of Sudan's Darfur region. The loss represents a significant setback for the Joint Darfur Forces, which had been steadily advancing towards the RSF-held stronghold of al-Geneina over the past two to three weeks.

However, the limited RSF counteroffensive in this sector appears to have come at a cost. The group has redeployed a large number of personnel and critical supplies from its ongoing siege of El-Obeid in North Kordofan, potentially creating an opportunity for the Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, to challenge the semi-blockade around the city. It is likely the entire Joint Forces offensive in West Darfur was a diversion for the RSF to relocate resources from central Sudan.

Note, reports circulating that the RSF used Chadian territory to launch its counteroffensive against Kulbus, although these claims cannot be independently verified. Though, from the speed of the RSF's advance—from the outskirts of al-Genina to Kulbus—it is very unusual and notable, as well as the fact that the group appears to have bypassed a number of key Joint Darfur Forces positions.