Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, and its allies seized the strategic border town of Kurmuk, located in the southeastern Blue Nile state, Sudan Tribune reported on March 24. The rival Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, accused Ethiopia of facilitating the RSF's assault on Kurmuk.

The RSF's capture of Kurmuk comes as it has expanded offensive operations against the SAF in Blue Nile state in late January. These developments come amid reports from Reuters in February showcasing near-definitive evidence that Ethiopia is hosting a large RSF camp allegedly capable of hosting up to 10,000 fighters in its western Benishangul-Gumuz region near the town of Menge, located around 75 kilometers (46 miles) from Kurmuk.