Khartoum: The Sudanese army has successfully recaptured the town of Um Sayala in North Kordofan state from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), local sources revealed to Anadolu on Monday. The town, located 200 kilometers north of the provincial capital El-Obeid, was seized following intense clashes between the army forces and RSF militants.

According to Anadolu Agency, army soldiers have been sharing videos on social media platforms showing their entry into Um Sayala, marking a significant victory in the ongoing conflict. However, there has been no immediate comment from either the Sudanese army or the RSF regarding this development.

This recent takeover is part of a series of strategic gains for the Sudanese army, which has also restored its authority over the Umm Dham Haj Ahmad and Kazgil areas in North Kordofan. Meanwhile, heavy clashes continue in Babnousa, an economic hub in North Kordofan known for its major railway station.

The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, intensified following the RSF's seizure of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, last month. This escalation has spread fighting to new fronts, particularly affecting the Kordofan region in central and southern Sudan.

Currently, the RSF controls all five Darfur states, while the Sudanese army holds most of the remaining 13 states, including the capital, Khartoum. Despite Darfur comprising about one-fifth of Sudan's territory, the majority of the country's 50 million residents live in areas controlled by the army.

The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has resulted in the deaths of at least 40,000 people and displaced 12 million, as reported by the World Health Organization.