Sudanese army captures strategic town in West Kordofan, downs drone

November 7, 2026 (EL OBEID, Sudan) – The Sudanese army said on Saturday it had taken control of the strategic town of Iyal Bakhit in West Kordofan state and downed a long-range drone belonging to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The army and allied forces have resumed military operations in the Kordofan region since mid-last week.

Recent field advances have enabled the military to seize strategic locations south and west of El Obeid in North Kordofan state.

The operations extend a broader campaign the army launched in Kordofan last June.

The ongoing offensive has resulted in the recapture of major cities and supply routes used by the RSF since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

Mohammed Didan, a spokesperson for the Special Action Forces fighting alongside the army, said troops had secured Iyal Bakhit in the El Khuwei locality and expelled RSF forces.

Iyal Bakhit, located about 100 km (62 miles) from El Khuwei, had previously seen a heavy RSF presence.

The paramilitary group had used the town as a staging ground to attack army positions in North Kordofan, utilizing its position on the border of the two states.

The new territorial gain brings the army closer to El Khuwei.

Separately, the military said its air defences shot down an FH-95 drone over Iyal Bakhit, marking the second drone the army claims to have downed in Kordofan in the past 72 hours.

The RSF has intensified its use of long-range drones in Kordofan in an attempt to stall the army’s advance toward Darfur and target military supply lines.

In response, army air and ground defences have shot down multiple drones in recent weeks, limiting the threat and securing military movements across the region.