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- Army reports heavy losses among attacking forces in southeastern Sudan, while military sources say air defenses downed drones near Khartoum airport
By Adel Abdel Rahim and Sahin Demir
KHARTOUM, Sudan / ISTANBUL (AA) - The Sudanese army said Monday it had repelled a ground attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), in southeastern Blue Nile state, while its air defenses intercepted a drone attack east of the capital Khartoum.
In a statement, the army’s 14th Infantry Division said its forces thwarted an attack by the RSF and SPLM-N on the Al-Baraka area in the southern sector of Blue Nile state.
The division said its troops inflicted heavy casualties and equipment losses on the attacking forces, preventing them from advancing toward army positions.
It added that several military vehicles were destroyed and the attackers were forced to retreat under heavy fire.
The division said the operation demonstrated the army’s readiness to respond to any hostile movements threatening its positions or the security of civilians and their property.
There was no immediate comment from the RSF or SPLM-N on the army’s claims.
Blue Nile state has witnessed escalating military tensions in recent weeks following attacks by the RSF and SPLM-N on several areas.
- Drone attack
In a separate development, military sources told Anadolu that army air defenses intercepted an RSF drone attack east of Khartoum on Monday, near Khartoum International Airport.
The sources said all attacking drones were shot down but did not specify their number.
Witnesses also told Anadolu that explosions were heard in the skies over eastern Khartoum on Monday morning.
Videos circulated on social media showed a drone flying over the Sudanese capital the same day.
There was no immediate comment from Sudanese authorities or the RSF on the reported drone attack.
On May 4, Sudan’s Information Ministry reported that a site within Khartoum International Airport had been targeted by a drone, without causing casualties or material damage.
Sudanese authorities and human rights organizations have accused the RSF of targeting civilian facilities. The group rarely comments on such accusations but maintains that it works to protect civilians.
Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and RSF have been engaged in a war that erupted over disagreements concerning the integration of the paramilitary group into the country’s military.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around 13 million, while worsening famine and humanitarian conditions in what has become one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Şahin Demir
