Khartoum: The Sudanese army has regained control of the towns of Kazgeil and Riyadh in North Kordofan following clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), military sources reported on Wednesday. The army's successful operation forced the RSF fighters to retreat, suffering losses in both personnel and equipment.
According to Anadolu Agency, videos circulated on social media by Sudanese army personnel confirmed their presence in Kazgeil, a location approximately 45 kilometers south of El-Obeid, the capital city of North Kordofan. The videos announced the army's control over the area, although no official statements have been released by the Sudanese army or the RSF.
Kazgeil and Riyadh had been under RSF control for over a year and a half. The army briefly reclaimed them in July, but the RSF regained control later that month. The three Kordofan states-North, West, and South-have been sites of intense fighting between the army and RSF, causing tens of thousands to flee the region.
The RSF controls all five states of Sudan's western Darfur region, except for parts of North Darfur, still under army control. The army maintains a hold on most areas of the country's 13 remaining states, including the capital, Khartoum. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.