Ankara: The Sudanese army has successfully taken control of the Umm Sayala area in North Kordofan State following confrontations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as reported by military sources.

According to Anadolu Agency, the military sources, who chose to remain anonymous due to restrictions on media communications, disclosed that the Sudanese army, alongside allied forces, launched a strategic offensive on Umm Sayala, which is located near the town of Bara. The sources further revealed that the army managed to assert full control over the area, dealing significant casualties and equipment losses to the RSF.

Social media platforms have been circulating videos purportedly showing Sudanese soldiers declaring their control over Umm Sayala, with additional footage displaying destroyed RSF military vehicles. However, Anadolu has not been able to independently verify these videos.

Umm Sayala is strategically positioned near Bara, the second-largest city in North Kordofan State, which continues to be under RSF control. The location is approximately 57 kilometers (35 miles) north of El-Obeid, the capital of the state.

As of 1545GMT, there have been no official statements from either the Sudanese army or the RSF regarding these developments. The region of North Kordofan has experienced increased fighting recently as the Sudanese army endeavors to strengthen its hold around El-Obeid and progress towards RSF-occupied territories in Bara.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of nearly 13 million people, and has sparked one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, as estimated by the UN.