Shelling kills 10 in Kadugli as Sudanese army claims South Kordofan advances

May 16, 2025 (KADUGLI) – At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were killed and others injured in shelling on the South Kordofan state capital Kadugli on Friday, the second consecutive day of shelling by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), local sources said.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese army (SAF) seized control of several areas in the state’s southern parts after fierce battles against SPLM-N forces.

Kadugli is under a partial siege, creating a major humanitarian crisis due to severe shortages of food and medicine. The city has been subjected to repeated artillery shelling by the SPLM-N, including an attack in February that killed more than 40 civilians.

Military sources said the Sudanese army seized control of new areas in South Kordofan state on Thursday and Friday: Al-Tareeda and Al-Dakka in Qadeer locality, previously held by SPLM-N forces.

According to a military source, SAF operations in SPLM-N-held areas in eastern and western parts of South Kordofan state aim to neutralise the group’s forces and prevent them from supporting the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the strategic Al-Dubeibat area.

SAF is nearing control of the strategic Al-Dubeibat area, which links South, North and West Kordofan states, after seizing control of the adjacent Al-Hamadi area.

SAF and its allies are seeking to advance deeper into South Kordofan to end the siege on Al-Dilling, the state’s second largest city, as well as advancing towards Abu Zabad and Al-Foula in West Kordofan state.

The operations in southern Kordofan coincide with a push in the west of the region, where a joint force allied with SAF controlled Al-Khawi locality.