Baku:The Sudanese army has successfully taken control of the Bir Kelekel area in West Darfur state after clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to a Sudanese official.

According to Anadolu Agency, West Darfur Governor Bahr al-Din Adam Karama stated that the army and allied forces have made 'significant progress' in Bir Kelekel, which is located in the eastern part of the Jebel Moon district. Karama emphasized the strategic importance of capturing the area due to its proximity to Jebel Moon.

Karama also mentioned that military operations are ongoing in the West Darfur region to restore security and maintain Sudan's unity and sovereignty. Videos shared by Sudanese army personnel on social media confirmed that their forces have taken control of Bir Kelekel.

The Joint Force of armed groups allied with the Sudanese army had previously announced on October 5 that they, along with the army, had gained control of Bir Saliba in West Darfur after engaging in combat with the RSF. While the RSF controls all five states in the western Darfur region, parts of North and West Darfur remain under army control. The Sudanese army controls most of the other 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been mired in conflict between the army and the RSF due to disagreements over the integration of the two forces. This fighting has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced 13 million people.