Sudanese army, allied forces say they recaptured areas in North Kordofan from RSF

The Sudanese army and allied Joint Force said Friday they had recaptured Sarif Ankoush and surrounding areas along the Al-Khuway axis in North Kordofan state following fierce clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to the official SUNA news agency.

In a statement, the Joint Force said the operation began at dawn and inflicted heavy losses on the RSF in personnel and equipment.

It said the commander of the RSF unit stationed in the area was killed during the fighting.

The Joint Force added that its troops were conducting extensive search operations and pursuing remaining RSF fighters in the area.

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It vowed to continue operations alongside the Sudanese Armed Forces until security and stability were restored.

Separately, the Sudanese army said its air defenses shot down what it described as a “hostile strategic drone” over the Dandaro area of Blue Nile state Friday afternoon.

The military said the drone had entered Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia, according to SUNA.

Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the army and the RSF over disagreements concerning the paramilitary group’s integration into the military.

The war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions within Sudan and across its borders, triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

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