The Sudanese Air Force carried out a precision airstrike in the city of Abu Zabad, West Kordofan, killing 19 militants from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The strike is part of ongoing efforts to regain control of strategic areas amid Sudan's internal conflict.

Sudanese Air Force Neutralizes 19 RSF Militants in Airstrike on Abu Zabad

Abu Zabad, Sudan – July 26, 2025 – The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have confirmed the successful execution of an airstrike targeting positions held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city of Abu Zabad, West Kordofan. According to military officials, the strike neutralized 19 RSF militants and destroyed several of their vehicles and supply caches.

The operation, carried out late Friday night, is part of a broader military campaign aimed at regaining control over strategic areas in Sudan's western and central regions, where the RSF continues to hold territory amid the ongoing internal conflict.

A spokesperson for the Sudanese Armed Forces stated that the airstrike was conducted with "precision and efficiency," based on verified intelligence indicating the presence of RSF fighters and equipment in a residential compound on the outskirts of Abu Zabad.

“This was a direct and necessary response to RSF movements in the area. Nineteen militants were neutralized, and no civilian casualties were reported in the operation,” the military said in a statement released Saturday morning.

Residents in Abu Zabad reported hearing loud explosions and seeing military aircraft overhead late Friday evening. While the situation on the ground remains tense, local sources confirmed that the targeted area was previously under RSF control and that civilians had largely evacuated days prior due to escalating tensions.

The RSF, a paramilitary force that was once aligned with the Sudanese government, has been in open conflict with the SAF since April 2023, when a power struggle between rival military factions spiraled into full-scale warfare. The violence has displaced millions, crippled infrastructure, and left vast parts of the country in chaos.

Abu Zabad, located in oil-rich West Kordofan, is considered a strategically important city due to its proximity to key supply routes and natural resources. In recent weeks, RSF fighters have attempted to consolidate power in the region, prompting intensified military action by the Sudanese Air Force and ground forces.

Military analysts suggest that the successful strike in Abu Zabad could signal a shift in momentum for the SAF, which has faced difficulties containing RSF advances in parts of Darfur and central Sudan.

“This airstrike shows that the Sudanese military still retains the capacity for coordinated, intelligence-driven operations,” said Dr. Ahmed Salim, a regional security analyst. “However, the broader conflict remains far from resolution.”

Human rights groups continue to express concern over the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict, warning that civilian populations in contested areas remain vulnerable. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed peace talks, but efforts have so far stalled amid deep mistrust between the warring parties.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese government has reiterated its commitment to protecting territorial integrity and eliminating RSF forces from urban centers and oil-rich regions.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Sudanese military had not reported any further operations in the area, but sources suggest more airstrikes could follow as part of a broader campaign in West Kordofan.

This is a developing story. More updates will be provided as they become available.