Khartoum: The Sudanese army has announced the deployment of a brigade to the Bakori operational axis in southeastern Blue Nile state as tensions escalate with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to Anadolu Agency, the army's 4th Infantry Division in Damazin revealed that the 'Elite Brigade' of the security and intelligence service embarked on a combat mission to the Bakori axis on Saturday morning. The deployment is aimed at reinforcing forces stationed in the area, enhancing their operational capabilities, and supporting ongoing military operations.

Maj. Gen. Ismail al-Tayeb Hussein, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, underscored the significance of readiness, discipline, and combat preparedness while bidding farewell to the troops. This strategic move follows a day after Maj. Gen. Hussein's visit to the Fazogli areas in Blue Nile state, in response to what the army described as attacks by the RSF and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).

On Friday, the RSF claimed to have seized the Bakori and Sarkam military bases southeast of Damazin, the capital of Blue Nile state. However, the army had not issued a statement regarding this claim as of Saturday morning. In another development, the army reported on Thursday that it had successfully shot down a hostile strategic drone in Blue Nile state, marking the third such incident within a week, after it crossed the border from Ethiopia.

The conflict between the army and RSF has persisted in the Blue Nile, Darfur, and the three states of the Kordofan region-North, West, and South Kordofan-since October 25, 2025. The ongoing conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of approximately 13 million, according to UN and international estimates.