Sudanese army liberates Sodari, North Kordofan, says Envoy - The Guardian Nigeria News

As hostilities in Sudan lingers, the country’s embassy in Nigeria, yesterday, disclosed that the Armed Forces, together with allied Joint Force units, liberated the strategic town of Sodari in North Kordofan state over the weekend.

The embassy through its media and communications department also cited the military spokesperson as saying that the army inflicted significant losses on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in personnel and equipment after heavy fighting.

The statement read that the government troops and allied fighters from the Joint Force, a coalition of Darfur armed movements fighting alongside the national army, took full control of the town following sustained engagement with RSF positions.

“Footage circulated by some channels showed troops and allied fighters inside Sodari, which the militia had held since the early months of the war it launched against the Sudanese state in April 2023.

“Sodari’s liberation builds on a sustained westward campaign the army launched in late July, when it seized control of the strategic export route linking the North Kordofan state capital, El Obeid, to Khartoum, together with the towns of Bara, Jibrah al-Sheikh, Um Qirfa, Jurayjikh and Um Sayyala.”

The statement further read on September 18. the army announced recapture of additional 11 areas along the same corridor, before pressing its advance towards Sodari, Hamrat al-Sheikh and Al-Mazroub.

“The advance has been accompanied by a steady degradation of RSF capabilities in the region.

“Army air defences intercepted a long-range drone near Al-Kukaiti last Thursday, part of a sustained effort to protect the army’s supply lines as it pushes toward the Darfur border.

“In the areas it recaptures, the army has continued to document the scale of destruction the RSF leaves behind.

“Medical staff in Sodari said the retreating militia looted and wrecked the town’s main hospital before withdrawing, cutting off healthcare access for more than 50,000 people, the latest instance of a pattern that has accompanied the RSF’s retreat from towns across Kordofan.”

The embassy said Sudan’s Sovereign Council announced that the army’s continued advance forms part of a sustained campaign to restore state authority across Western Sudan, and protect civilians from the abuses that have characterised RSF rule in areas under its control.

The military operations also said it will sustain actions until the country is fully cleared of the paramilitary force.