| Conflict: | Siege of Babanusa |
| Place: | Babanusa, West Kordofan, Sudan |
| Date: | Initial assault: 22 January – 5 February 2024 |
| Status: | SAF victory
|
| Combatant1: | Sudanese Armed Forces |
| Combatant2: | Rapid Support Forces |
| Partof: | War in Sudan |
| Commander1: | Unknown |
| Commander2: | Abdel Rahim Daglo[2] |
The Siege of Babanusa was a siege during the War in Sudan. The siege started when fighting erupted between the RSF and the SAF on 22 January 2024.[3]
On 13 January 2024 SAF launched airstrikes on the nearby city of El Tibbun. In retaliation the RSF mobilized significant forces in various directions around Babanusa, including in El Tibbun, Samoaa in the southwest, and Muglad in the south.[4]
On 22 January 2024, a Rapid Support Forces offensive began, aiming to seize control of the 22nd Infantry Division headquarters in Babanusa, West Kordofan.[5]
The initial assault went well for the RSF, capturing several police stations and also releasing videos of RSF soldiers inside of the 22nd Infantry Divisions headquarters, signaling its capture. Later counterattack attempts from the SAF succeeded and RSF forces were pushed out of the headquarters.
The siege also escalated an already dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan, displacing another 45,000 people.[6]
A two-day ceasefire was held on 28 January by Misseriya native administration to allow civilians to escape the conflict, however the fighting continued despite the ceasefire attempts.
In an audio recording on February 11, Hemedti claimed victory in Babanusa and Omdurman. The Sudanese Army responded within a few hours denying this claim and accused Hemedti of "misinformation."The statement further claimed that the RSF suffered "heavy losses" in recent clashes with the army. The Sudanese Army released videos showing their troops in control of the Mohandiseen area and asserted that its forces controlled the Babanusa garrison.[7]
Fifty civilians died and significant property damage occurred due to the siege as of January 2024.[8]
Total casualties is said to be 100 people.