Kadogli (Sudan), May 21 (IANS) Sudanese armed forces have recaptured a key rebel stronghold in the South Kordofan state, which can end the rebels’ rocket bombardment from there on state capital Kadogli, Sudanese officials said Tuesday.

According to South Kordofan State Governor, Adam al-Faki, the Sudanese armed forces recaptured the Daldako area which was previously used by the rebel militias to pour Katyusha rockets over Kadogli, Xinhua reported.

“Liberation of Daldako area makes Kadogli town safe against the bombardment of the rebels of the SPLM/northern sector,” the governor said Tuesday, referring to the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement for the North (SPLM-North).

Bands of disaffected Sudanese have joined rebel militias like SPLM-North in fighting the central government that they accuse of marginalising them. For around three years the rebels have managed to fortify their bases around the state’s capital, despite air strikes by the Sudanese army.

The latest army advancement may indicate that the rebels are losing ground. The governor said that much of South Kordofan State is now under secure military control.

“About 95 percent of the eastern area is completely free from the rebels who are now become at limited pockets. There is also a great advancement at the western area where the rebels have been driven out of many areas such as Abu Zabadm Katala and Abu Jibaiha, ” Faki said, adding they are “seeking to corner the rebellion at few pockets.”