The Sudanese military has made significant strides in recapturing the city of Wad Madani, located in Gezira state, from the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group. On Saturday, the army announced that it had entered the city after more than a year of RSF occupation, a move that they described as a crucial step in “cleaning up the remaining rebel pockets” within the city.
While the RSF has yet to comment on the situation, the government’s spokesperson praised the military for liberating Wad Madani. A video posted by the army showed troops inside the city, which has been strategically important due to its location at the crossroads of key supply routes linking various states and its proximity to the capital, Khartoum.
Over the past few days, Sudanese military forces, supported by allied armed groups, had been advancing through villages south and southeast of Gezira state. Their progress culminated in the capture of the decisive Hantoub Bridge, which led directly into Wad Madani.
As of the latest reports, the army controls most of the city, with soldiers and allied fighters stationed across the streets. Local residents have reported seeing military activity throughout the city, with some expressing hope and relief at the army’s success in pushing out the RSF. However, both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of severe war crimes, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas.
Sudanese Army Retakes Wad Madani, Marking Key Victory in Ongoing Conflict
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began in April 2023, has led to widespread devastation across the country, resulting in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The war has displaced more than 12 million people, with over three million fleeing Sudan’s borders.
In addition to the displacement, the war has caused tens of thousands of deaths and severe damage to infrastructure. Gezira state, in particular, has seen considerable displacement, with many people seeking refuge in the region in the early stages of the war. However, by December 2023, a swift RSF offensive led to the displacement of an additional 300,000 people in the region.
The RSF’s brutal tactics have drawn international condemnation, with the United States accusing the paramilitary group of committing genocide. This prompted the imposition of sanctions on RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti. In response, local pro-democracy groups in Sudan celebrated the army’s success in reclaiming Wad Madani, seeing it as a blow to RSF tyranny. These volunteer groups, which have been providing frontline aid across the country, view the army’s actions as a positive step in the fight for democracy and against the ongoing violence.
The recapture of Wad Madani and potentially all of Gezira state could signal a turning point in the war, which initially stemmed from disputes over the integration of the two forces. Although the RSF still holds vast areas of Sudan, including Darfur and southern regions, the army’s recapture of strategic territories has raised hopes for a shift in the conflict’s trajectory. However, with millions of displaced citizens and ongoing violence, the humanitarian crisis is far from over, and both sides continue to control key areas across the country, including parts of Khartoum. The situation remains dire as the war continues to devastate Sudan and its people.
