Sudan's army says it has captured a key city in the country's east, its biggest gain yet in a nearly two-year war against rebel forces.
Footage on social media showed people celebrating in the streets as army troops entered the town of Wad Madani.
Paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedati, acknowledged the loss in an audio message.
His admissions of the military's air superiority and use of Iranian-made drones as reasons for the defeat were infuriating and confusing.
But he vowed to continue fighting until victory, even if it took another 20 years.
Wad Madani is the capital of Al Jazeera State and is located 87 miles (140 km) south of the country's capital, Khartoum.
Violence broke out between the army and the RSF in April 2023 as RSF members were redeployed across the country after days of tensions that the army saw as a threat.
The war claimed thousands of lives. And nearly nine million people have been forced to flee their homes in what the United Nations has called the world's “biggest displacement crisis.”
So is the country Slipping into a famineWith 24.6 million people – nearly half the population – food aid is urgently needed, experts said.
Earlier this month, the US subsequently sanctioned RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo accused the group of committing genocide.
Officials said he was being punished for his role in “planned” atrocities against the Sudanese people during the 20-month conflict.