RSF Reclaims Strategic Border Town of Kulbus After Army-Allied Withdrawal

KULBUS, July 10, 2026 - Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have regained control of the strategic town of Kulbus in West Darfur after joint forces allied with the Sudanese army withdrew from the area, ending their brief control of the border town. The withdrawal came about ten days after army-aligned forces recaptured Kulbus during heavy fighting. The town lies near the Chad border and is considered a key strategic location in western Sudan. Following the pullback, RSF fighters re-entered the town and re-established their presence. Army-allied forces reportedly repositioned outside Kulbus, with equipment moved across the border into Chad. The RSF had significantly reinforced its positions around Kulbus in recent days, prompting expectations of a major offensive to retake the town. Located about 130 kilometres north of El Geneina, Kulbus is the historical centre of the Moon tribe’s traditional sultanate and has become one of the main flashpoints in the conflict across West Darfur. The town has changed hands several times during the war. It initially avoided major fighting after local leaders negotiated an arrangement with the RSF following the outbreak of conflict in 2023. However, the RSF captured Kulbus in October 2024, before army-allied forces briefly retook it in late June 2026. The latest developments reflect the continuing volatility along Sudan’s western frontier, where fighting has intensified in recent weeks. Similar clashes and shifts in territorial control have also been reported in Am Baru, Tina, and Karnoi in neighbouring North Darfur, highlighting the ongoing struggle for control of strategic border areas.