Changes in Ground Forces Leadership Coincide with Army’s Military Advance in Kordofan

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced the completion of the handover of command of the Ground Forces between Lieutenant General Rashad Abdel-Hamid Ismail and Lieutenant General Malik Al-Tayib Khojali, who has been newly appointed as Ground Forces Commander.

A press statement issued by the Armed Forces said the handover procedures were completed on Thursday at the headquarters of the Ground Forces Command in the capital, Khartoum.

Lieutenant General Rashad Abdel-Hamid Ismail, who has assumed the post of Inspector General of the Armed Forces, said the Sudanese army continues to carry out its duties to safeguard the nation and protect its resources amid what he described as the “War of Dignity,” aimed at liberating all parts of the country from the “terrorist militia,” as he put it.

For his part, Ground Forces Commander Lieutenant General Malik Al-Tayib Khojali affirmed the continuation of the march along the same course and approach, stressing unity and cooperation to achieve victory and implement the leadership’s objectives.

The handover of command comes against the backdrop of adjustments introduced by the Sudanese army at the level of the Ground Forces leadership in December 2025.

The leadership changes coincided with a military advance by the army in the Kordofan region, where it took control of new areas amid a retreat by the Rapid Support Forces.

Over the past two days, the army has also carried out drone strikes in Darfur and Kordofan.