The Sudanese military announced on Saturday that its air defenses intercepted and brought down a hostile drone operating over West Kordofan state in the southern region of the country. An army spokesperson delivered the announcement through a statement carried by the state news agency SUNA. According to the military, the incident occurred during the morning hours over the Ayyal Bakhit area.
The official statement identified the intercepted aircraft as an FH-95 drone. The military’s statement did not provide any information regarding which faction or party operated the downed aircraft.
This interception coincided with an escalation of fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces across the three Kordofan states. Earlier on Thursday, the army reported that it had taken control of four distinct areas across North and South Kordofan. During those engagements, the military stated that it destroyed 40 combat vehicles belonging to the paramilitary group and seized another 43 vehicles.
Over recent weeks, the army also stated it captured 11 areas within North Kordofan following intense battles against the Rapid Support Forces. Armed clashes have persisted across the North, West, and South Kordofan regions since October 25 as both warring sides attempt to consolidate their military positions.
The broader conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces erupted in April 2023, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and displacing millions more, based on estimates from the United Nations.
