Sudanese army says it seized 11 areas in North Kordofan state

By Adel Abdelrheem and Lina Altawell

KHARTOUM, Sudan / ISTANBUL (AA) – The Sudanese army said Thursday that it took control of 11 areas in the North Kordofan state in southern Sudan following clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

“Our forces today managed to liberate the areas of Kajmar, Sharshar, Al-Baniya Al-Kurayniya, Al-Qulaiat, Awlad Hazma, Maquldat, Rishan, Al-Qaa, Al-Laqad Forest, Al-Kukaiti, and the area around Al-Mazrub in the North Kordofan state,” it said in a statement.

“The advances came after fierce battles in which RSF forces suffered heavy losses,” it said, adding that army units pursued remaining fighters toward the outskirts of Darfur.

The army also said it carried out wide-scale clearing operations in areas west of El-Obeid, the state capital.

“Operations are continuing with determination and steadfastness until state sovereignty is fully restored, civilians are secured and the areas are cleared of the terrorist militia and its supporters, leading to security and stability across the country,” said the statement.

There was no comment from the RSF on the statement as of 1730GMT.

Military sources told Anadolu on Thursday that the army advanced on fighting fronts in the North and South Kordofan states and took control of several areas in both states.

The army announced on Sept. 6 that it had seized the town of Hamrat al-Wiz in Jabra al-Sheikh, North Kordofan.

Since late July, the army has taken control of large areas in North Kordofan after retaking the city of Bara and the areas of Jabra al-Sheikh and Umm Siyala.

Sudan’s three Kordofan states – North, West, and South – have witnessed fighting between the army and the RSF since last Oct. 25.

Sudan has been engulfed in a war between the army and the RSF since April 2023, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 13 million people, according to UN and international estimates.