Sudan army says it shot down advanced Chinese drone near El Obeid

July 13, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army announced on Monday that it had shot down an advanced Chinese-made FH-95 drone near the city of El Obeid in North Kordofan State, western Sudan.

The incident marks the third time this month that the military has reported downing this specific model. Last week, the army intercepted one on the export highway linking the capital, Khartoum, to North Kordofan, while the first was brought down on July 2 in Tendelti, White Nile State.

In a statement, the military spokesperson said ground defences successfully intercepted the hostile FH-95 strategic drone northwest of El Obeid on Monday afternoon.

The FH-95, a Chinese-designed medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle capable of electronic warfare and precision strikes, has emerged as the only drone used by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for long-reach objectives. With an operational endurance of up to 24 hours, the platform allows the RSF to project air power deep into government-controlled territory.

The RSF has increasingly relied on unmanned aircraft to strike fuel depots, power stations, and civilian infrastructure in Khartoum, White Nile, and North Kordofan states.

Over the past weeks, the paramilitary group has launched a wave of drone strikes on main markets and utility stations while mobilizing forces around El Obeid, drawing international warnings over the threat of a full-scale assault on civilians.

El Obeid serves as a crucial commercial and humanitarian transit hub for the Kordofan region. Any ground offensive risks cutting off vital supply routes for aid and goods heading to South Kordofan, West Kordofan, and parts of Darfur.