Full Breakdown
Sudanese Army Seizes Sodiri as RSF Drone Strikes Intensify in North Kordofan
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 25, 2026, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced that its troops had taken control of Sodiri in North Kordofan after “fierce battles” with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The army’s statement called the operation a liberation of a “key RSF stronghold” and released video of destroyed combat vehicles it said belonged to the RSF. The RSF had not issued a comment by 1845 GMT.
Background & Context
The SAF-RSF conflict began in April 2023 and has spread across Sudan’s three Kordofan states. By late July 2026 the army had captured several towns, reopening the main road between El Obeid and Khartoum. The RSF’s use of long-range drones has expanded the war beyond front-line battles, striking civilian infrastructure in government-held towns.
Data & Statistics
- United Nations investigators reported that drone attacks by both sides killed more than 1,000 civilians in the first half of 2026.
- An Emergency Lawyers report documented 10 deaths and dozens of injuries when a drone struck a crowded courtroom in Um Ruwaba on September 8.
- A UN fact-finding mission noted a 10-day drone campaign that killed at least 50 civilians and damaged critical infrastructure.
Official Statements & Responses
- The SAF framed the Sodiri capture as a liberation and emphasized RSF losses in personnel and equipment.
- The RSF declined comment on its drone campaign but has previously said it “does not intentionally target civilians.”
- Emergency Lawyers described the courtroom strike as a possible violation of international humanitarian law and highlighted attacks on civilians rescuing the wounded.
Criticism & Opposition
- United Nations investigators and aid agencies warn that RSF drone warfare “deepens civilian suffering” and disrupts water, electricity, healthcare and transportation for hundreds of thousands of residents.
- Human-rights groups, citing the Emergency Lawyers report, argue that targeting civilian sites such as courthouses and colleges may constitute war crimes and call for stronger international accountability.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As you can see, the entire faculty is destroyed and we feel that our dreams are destroyed, our future is destroyed,” — Omnia Aboul Gassim, student, Internazionale.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The SAF’s claim of “heavy RSF losses” in the Sodiri operation is not independently verified; geolocated footage confirms army presence in several villages but does not confirm RSF casualty numbers.
- While the UN and Emergency Lawyers provide casualty figures for drone attacks, exact numbers of RSF-operated drones and the identities of foreign personnel supporting them remain unconfirmed.
Why It Matters
Control of Sodiri strengthens the SAF’s buffer around El Obeid and secures supply routes, potentially limiting RSF mobility in western North Kordofan. At the same time, intensified RSF drone strikes continue to erode civilian safety and infrastructure, complicating humanitarian access and raising the risk of broader violations of international law. The juxtaposition of territorial gains and aerial attacks underscores the hybrid nature of the Sudanese war, where ground offensives and remote weaponry jointly shape the conflict’s trajectory.
