Crossword Genius

Issue drains regulars in this place (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sudan

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'this place' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both locations as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'issue drains regulars' is the wordplay.
'regulars' indicates alternate letters (letters selected at regular intervals).
'issue'+'drains'='issuedrains'
The alternating letters of 'issuedrains' are 'SUDAN'.

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sudan that I've seen before include "Recently-split country" , "Home for many Arabs" , "Country in NC Africa, capital Khartoum" , "Country in NE Africa, capital Khartoum" , "African region" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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