Sudanese army captures key city of Wad Madani as conflict continues
CREATOR: gd-jpeg v1.0 (using IJG JPEG v62), default quality
In a significant breakthrough, Sudan’s army has seized control of Wad Madani, a major city in the country’s east, marking one of its largest victories in the nearly two-year conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Social media footage captured jubilant celebrations as army troops entered the city, the capital of Al Jazira state, located 140 km (87 miles) south of Khartoum.
RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, confirmed the loss in an irate and disjointed audio statement, attributing the setback to the army’s air superiority and its deployment of Iranian-made drones.
Despite the defeat, he vowed to persist, declaring, “Even if it takes 20 years, we will continue fighting until victory.”
The conflict, which began in April 2023 following heightened tensions over RSF redeployments, has devastated Sudan. Tens of thousands have died, and the United Nations has labeled the displacement of nine million people as one of the world’s “largest displacement crises.”
Famine looms large, with 24.6 million people—nearly half the population—in dire need of food assistance, experts warn.
The United States recently sanctioned Hemedti, accusing the RSF of systematic atrocities, including genocide, during the conflict. The sanctions target his alleged role in orchestrating crimes against civilians.
The battle for Sudan’s future continues as the humanitarian toll deepens and international pressure mounts to end the violence.
