The Sudan Railways Corporation has confirmed the deaths of fourteen workers from its western sector in the city of Babanusa, hailing them as martyrs who fell in the line of duty amid the worsening security crisis gripping the region since early November 2025. In its official statement, the corporation detailed that the workers perished while carrying out essential maintenance and operational tasks for the vital railway network, even as deadly battles raged between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Babanusa, once a bustling railway hub and lifeline connecting central Sudan with the far west and linking to South Sudan before secession, has found itself drawn into the heart of the current conflict. The city’s strategic importance stems from both its historical role in national transportation and its military significance: it is home to the headquarters of Sudan’s 22nd Infantry Division and the 89th Brigade, making it the main stronghold for the army in the embattled western territories.
Since the start of November, Babanusa has witnessed near-daily confrontations as RSF units intensify their offensive, employing sophisticated tactics—including the use of Chinese-made drones and armored vehicles—to target government positions. Military analysts report that the RSF escalation followed their capture of El Fasher in late October 2025, with Babanusa emerging as a new epicenter of conflict. The Sudanese army has responded with sustained counter-attacks in a bid to maintain its hold on the city and break the RSF’s siege that began as early as January 2024.
Workers Caught in the Crossfire
The legacy of the Sudanese railways resonates deeply in Babanusa. For decades, the city’s railway lines were arteries of economic and social connection spanning the breadth of Sudan. However, years of neglect—especially under former President Omar al-Bashir—led to drastic deterioration, causing Babanusa to gradually lose its role as a pivotal transport hub. Nonetheless, dedicated railway staff continued to serve, maintaining operations across key departments including engineering, workshops, locomotive operations, electricity, and accounting. The recent violence has now claimed lives from nearly every division within the western sector.
The corporation’s statement expressed sorrow for the loss of these committed professionals, emphasizing the hardships they faced as they attempted to ensure the continuity of essential services under extraordinarily dangerous circumstances.
City Under Siege
The capture of El Fasher in late October by the RSF served as a catalyst for intensified hostilities in Babanusa. The RSF, emboldened by its recent gains, has prioritized Babanusa as a strategic prize. The use of modern drone warfare and armored personnel carriers has made confrontations especially fierce, as the SAF strives to defend its last major base in Sudan’s west.
With Babanusa besieged and its civilian population increasingly trapped by daily violence, the deaths of the fourteen railway workers serve as a stark reminder of the ever-expanding toll of Sudan’s conflict—not just on combatants, but also on the civil infrastructure and the unsung workers striving to keep the country connected in its darkest hours.
