Sudanese army advances in Darfur and Kordofan, senior officer says

November 1, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s armed forces are advancing toward the Darfur and Kordofan regions to fight alleged mercenaries and thwart what the military describes as foreign conspiracies, Army Chief of Staff General Yasir al-Atta said on Sunday.

The Sudanese government has repeatedly accused the United Arab Emirates of supplying the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with weapons and direct military aid, including drone strikes on civilians.

The UAE has consistently denied the accusations, stating it is focused on supporting a ceasefire, a political resolution and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Speaking at a military gathering in Khartoum, al-Atta claimed the army was moving to fight thousands of mercenaries from West Africa, Ethiopia, Colombia and ‘unfortunately’ South Sudan.

He alleged the RSF fighters were backed by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. ‘We are fighting to thwart the conspiracies of the state of evil and the project of the sons of Zayed and the Mossad,’ al-Atta said.

He emphasized the military campaign was not targeting specific ethnic groups, naming the Rizeigat, Hawazma, Habbaniya and Beni Halba tribes as respected communities. ‘We do not want to take revenge as the militia did against the citizens of Sudan’s various regions.

‘We are going to fight the mercenaries,’ he said. Al-Atta also said attacks on electricity and infrastructure would not deter the military from defeating the RSF and capturing all Sudanese territory.

The army is attempting to advance into Darfur, where the RSF controls most of the territory, while working to consolidate its hold over Kordofan.

Over the past three months, the army and allied forces have reclaimed significant territory in Kordofan, including main supply routes the RSF previously used to link its forces across the two regions.