Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chaired the country’s first security Council meeting since the Army regained control of several areas in North Kordofan, reviewing the security situation and ongoing military operations. The meeting, held in Khartoum on Sunday, August 2, assessed the progress of military operations and measures to strengthen security and stability, according to a statement from the Sovereign Council. Council members were also briefed on the preparedness of the armed forces, regular forces and allied units to defend the country and safeguard its security and sovereignty. The meeting followed the army’s announcement last week that it had recaptured the cities of Bara, Jabra al-Sheikh and Um Sayala in North Kordofan after clashes with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minnawi also said army forces had regained control of Bara and nearby areas after military operations against the RSF.