Sudanese army shoots down paramilitary RSF drones in North Kordofan

August 17, 2026 (BARA) — Sudan’s army said on Monday its air defence systems shot down two drones operated by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Kordofan state.
The downings bring the total number of RSF drones destroyed by the military in the broader Kordofan region to seven since June.

An army spokesman said in a statement that air defences intercepted an FH-95 drone in the Jureijikh area.

A second statement confirmed another drone of the same model was brought down near the town of Bara.

The RSF could not be reached for comment immediately.

The paramilitary group has increased drone strikes in recent weeks across Bara, Jabrat al-Sheikh, and along the strategic export route leading to the state capital, El Obeid.

The military regained control of significant stretches of North Kordofan, including parts of the export road, during a swift offensive on July 25, forcing RSF fighters to pull back toward Umm Bader, Sawdiri, Hamrat al-Sheikh, and Al-Mazroub to the far west.

Securing the corridor is intended to protect El Obeid from the east and restore land links to Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum.