The Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) command in Shendi, the capital of Sudan’s River Nile State, on Tuesday said that it had brought down an armed drone that was attacking an army facility.

The SAF’s Third Infantry Division Command in Shendi, in a statement obtained by Radio Tamazuj, stated that their control room detected a drone approaching from the south and precautions were taken.

According to the statement, the Army's ground defenses engaged the drone as soon as it entered the airspace of the military zone and destroyed the drone and its explosive payload, and the debris fell on part of the military airport’s buildings.

“The control and monitoring rooms reported the arrival of a drone coming from the south to the north and the relevant authorities were notified,” the statement read in part. “When the hostile drone entered the boundaries of the Division Command, it was engaged by ground defenses, and thanks to Allah, its explosive payloads were destroyed in the air, with some parts falling around the airport buildings of the Division, without causing any damage or casualties.”

The statement also revealed the detection of another drone about an hour after the destruction of the first one.

“Approximately an hour after the destruction of the first drone, another hostile drone was detected and dealt with by air and ground defenses, destroying and hitting its explosive payloads in the air,” the SAF statement said. “Debris also fell around the airport buildings without causing any damage or casualties, thanks to the early detection and alertness of the control and monitoring rooms, which enabled rapid action by the weapons and ground and air defenses, preventing any harm, thanks to the vigilance of the Third Infantry Division forces.”

“We also reassure all the residents of Shendi and the region that all the forces of the Third Infantry Division, all security agencies, as well as our advancing forces towards the cleanliness of the Al-Jaili area, are fully prepared militarily to protect the area, and even advance steadily to complete their tasks for the cleanliness of the refinery area from militias and mercenaries, by the grace of Allah and near victory,” it added.

The Army said the situation was normal and reassured the public that there was no reason to close markets or disrupt work in Shendi City.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) denied any involvement in the attack.

Brigadier Tibieg Mustafa, an advisor to RSF leader Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, told the press that his forces had no connection with the attack, describing it as a recurring event that previously occurred in Atbara City.

“What happened reflects internal disputes between the Army and the Islamic Brigades of Al-Barra'a Bin Malik, which fight alongside the Army,” he stated.

According to Brig. Mustafa, the Army now aims to rid itself of the Islamic Brigades, which he described as terrorist groups.

“We confirm our readiness to deal with any emergency or attack by the Army or Al-Barra'a Bin Malik Brigades,” he added. “Any advance towards any military zone is justified, as is seizing it.”