Sudanese army announces capture of strategic city in South Kordofan

KHARTOUM, May 23 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on Friday that it has taken control of the strategic city of Al-Dibaibat in South Kordofan State, after battles with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"The armed forces have successfully cleared Al-Dibaibat," Nabil Abdalla, the SAF spokesman, said in a statement, noting that the SAF has "secured the entire city."

Sudanese military personnel shared videos on social media from within Al-Dibaibat, announcing the RSF's "defeat."

The RSF has not yet commented on the army's announcement of its control over the city.

Al-Dibaibat possesses strategic military importance as it sits at a key crossroads linking the three Kordofan states. One route runs southward toward Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State, another extends west to Abu Zabad and Al-Fula in West Kordofan State, and a third road links to El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State.

The liberation of the city comes just days after the Sudanese army announced its full control over Khartoum and White Nile states.

Since March, the Sudanese army has been expanding its controlled territory, while the RSF continues to retreat.

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the SAF and the RSF since April 2023. The war has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes, both within Sudan and across its borders. Enditem