Battle of Barah

Battle of Barah
Part of Kordofan campaign (2023-present)
Date 5 March-27 July 2026 Location Barah, Sudan Result First Battle: RSF victory SAF recapture the town on 5 march. RSF reoccupies the town after 10 days on March 16 Start of the Barah massacre Second Battle: SAF Victory SAF recapture the town on 27 July End of the Barah massacre Many pro-RSF tribes and soldiers fighting in the city of Barah defected or surrendered.
Belligerents
Rapid Support Forces	Sudanese Armed Forces
Commanders and leaders
Hajj Hussein  † Hibu Al-Salami (POW)	Abu Aqla Kaikal
Casualties and losses
Dozens killed 32 military vehicles destroyed 10 other captured 400 RSF Militants killed and 73 vehicles destroyed in the second battle (SAF Claim)	500 killed 45 vehicles destroyed (according to RSF)
51 civilians killed

The Battle of Barah, was the March 2026 initial recapture of Barah, North Kordofan, during the Sudanese civil war (2023–present) from the RSF by the SAF, before the RSF seized control of the town again after 10 days of its recapture by the SAF. Subsequently, the Sudanese army regained control on July 26.

Background

Since October 2025, Barah had been controlled by the RSF.

On February 15, the SAF destroyed an air defense system of the RSF in Abu Zabad area of the region. The system was a Chinese short-range model FB-10, designed to take down low-altitude targets, such as drones, helicopters, and aircraft flying at low altitudes. Because of this, the SAF could freely conduct airstrikes on Barah.

Before the SAF's assault on the town, the Sudanese Air Force had carried out airstrikes on the town, inflicting significant casualties among RSF's lines. These attacks were followed by a surprise assault on RSF's positions in north El Obeid from Dankoj, before they expelled the RSF from Barah.

Battle

SAF first initial recapture

On March 5, the SAF expelled the RSF from Barah following a military operation, this operation resulted in the loss of dozens of RSF soldiers and the destruction of 32 military vehicles and the capture of 10 others. Barah's recapture was strategically critical, as the town was a launch point for RSF's drones on El Obeid. Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced from Barah, as control over the town have shifted rapidly.

RSF recapture

On March 16, Barah was seized by the RSF once again, just after 10 days of SAF's recapture. This was the third time of power shifting in Barah since April 2023. The RSF have deployed dozens of combat vehicles, drones, and artillery in its recapture of the town, forcing the SAF to retreat to the town of al-Dankoj. The RSF have claimed that it killed 500 SAF soldiers and captured 45 vehicles, though, Reuters was unable to verify these claims.

SAF's second recapture

On 25 July, the SAF launched an offensive to recapture areas of North Kordofan, including Barah. The military said in a statement that the forces have retaken Barah, along with other major areas in the state. The SAF also claimed it destroyed 73 RSF combat vehicles, seizing an unknown amount of vehicles, and killing several RSF fighters and officers.