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Sudan Downs Ethiopian Drone that Crossed its Airspace

Ethiopians fleeing from the Tigray region arrive by boat to Sudan after crossing a river between the two countries (File Photo: Reuters)
Ethiopians fleeing from the Tigray region arrive by boat to Sudan after crossing a river between the two countries (File Photo: Reuters)
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Sudan Downs Ethiopian Drone that Crossed its Airspace

Ethiopians fleeing from the Tigray region arrive by boat to Sudan after crossing a river between the two countries (File Photo: Reuters)
Ethiopians fleeing from the Tigray region arrive by boat to Sudan after crossing a river between the two countries (File Photo: Reuters)

The Sudanese army downed an Ethiopian reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the territory near the border at al-Fashqa, according to Sudanese sources.

Other sources confirmed that the army was able to control the Ethiopian drone that crossed its airspace. Authorities in both countries did not comment on the incident.

Several social media accounts posted pictures of Sudanese officers and soldiers near the drone, which they claim is Ethiopian.

Relations have been soured by disputes over al-Fashqa, an area of fertile land settled by Ethiopian farmers that Sudan says is on its side of a border demarcated at the start of the 20th century, which Ethiopia rejects.

The Sudanese army did not provide any official details about the nature of its operations in al-Fashqa. However, the head of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced last week that 84 soldiers had been killed during the operations to recover and defend the region.

The Ethiopian militias, supported by the federal army, took control of al-Fashaqa, stretching over 600 square kilometers of highly fertile agricultural land.

Ethiopia recognizes Sudanese sovereignty over the agricultural area but has not taken practical steps to demarcate the border, allowing Ethiopian farmers to cultivate the area and provide protection.

Earlier this week, Burhan addressed soldiers in the Darfur region, saying the armed forces are fully prepared to protect its borders, adding that they will remain in Fashaqa to respond to any aggression targeting Sudanese territory.

According to the 1902 internationally recognized border demarcation agreement, Fashqa is within the Sudanese borders.

After the attempted assassination of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, accused of masterminding the regime of ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, the militias backed by Addis Ababa invaded and took control of Fashqa.

A joint border committee was formed between the two countries, during which Ethiopia recognized Sudan’s sovereignty over the lands. However, it procrastinated identifying the border markers until it announced it did not accept the borders of 1902.

Sudan rejects Ethiopia’s claims and is backed by international charters.

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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.