RSF down ‘Iranian-made drone’ in Sudan capital

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed they downed a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone in Omdurman, the sister city of the capital Khartoum, yesterday morning. A relative calm takes hold in Babanousa, West Kordofan, as the RSF continues to besiege the SAF 22nd Infantry Division.

In a statement yesterday, the RSF said this was the “third such drone to be neutralised” by the paramilitary group. Radio Dabanga was unable to obtain an immediate comment from the SAF.

The RSF attacked the SAF General Command in central Khartoum and the Karari military base in Omdurman with artillery fire, yesterday. The SAF retaliated by bombing RSF bases in eastern Khartoum, local sources said.

On Saturday, violent battles broke out between the SAF and the RSF in Khartoum North, where the army said it conducted “a series of successful operations” in the area, and “inflicted heavy personnel and equipment losses” on the RSF.

The RSF said it “inflicted heavy losses” on the SAF in El Kadaro and Hattab in Khartoum North.

Listeners in the area told Radio Dabanga that the SAF was “able to destroy an RSF base” in El Kadaro. “The army also located itself in Hattab Market, before retreating due to an RSF attack”.

In El Deyoum El Shargeya area of Khartoum, remaining families said they were “living in a state of terror and panic” after one person was killed, and three others injured, following “an artillery attack near the El Ghali petrol station” on Friday evening.

West Kordofan

In Babanousa, West Kordofan, limited SAF-RSF skirmishes and fire exchanges were reported yesterday.

The Sudani telecommunications network was reportedly restored in Babanousa and El Muglad, after an interruption lasting three days.

Volunteers told Radio Dabanga that more than 60 families from Babanousa fled to El Muglad, located 35km south of Babanousa, following the outbreak of violence in the town last week.

“The families arrived arrived to El Muglad on foot and in poor condition. They were accommodated in two schools, and are dependent on local assistance given that humanitarian aid in the town is insufficient.”

Yesterday, the governor of West Kordofan asked localities to “welcome with great care” those fleeing fighting in Babanousa.

Yesterday, Dabanga reported that the RSF are still besieging the SAF 22nd Infantry Division, which it has been attacking since January 24.