The Sudanese army announced on Saturday that it had entered the central city of Wad Madani, a key development in the ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This move, if successful, would represent the army's most significant advance in nearly two years of fighting.
A video released by the army showed troops inside Wad Madani, the capital of El Gezira state, which has been under RSF control since December 2023. The recapture of El Gezira, an important agricultural and trading hub, could potentially shift the dynamics of the conflict that began in April 2023 over disagreements regarding the integration of the two forces.
The war has led to one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with over 12 million people displaced and half the population facing food insecurity. The RSF's presence in El Gezira has been marked by violent attacks on civilians, destruction of property, and disruption of essential services.
The Sudanese Armed Forces expressed optimism about the operation in Wad Madani, stating that they were working to eliminate remaining rebel resistance within the city. The army has intensified its efforts to retake El Gezira, following successful operations in Sennar state in the south.
In a significant development, the RSF's top commander in El Gezira defected to the army in October, with his troops participating in the recent operations. However, the RSF has retaliated with attacks of its own, indicating the fierce nature of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the army has also continued its offensive in Bahri, a part of the greater capital Khartoum, where it has made notable progress in recent months. The RSF, on the other hand, controls much of western Sudan and is engaged in a fierce battle with the army for al-Fashir, its last stronghold in the Darfur region.
Additionally, both forces are actively vying for control over White Nile state in the south of the country, underscoring the complex and volatile nature of the conflict in Sudan.
