Sudan’s army announced its forces had entered Wad Madani, a key city in Gezira state, pushing out the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after over a year of RSF control, Al Jazeera reported.
The military described the operation as a success, claiming to be clearing out “remaining RSF pockets.” This comes amid a brutal conflict between Sudan’s military and the RSF that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions.
Wad Madani’s strategic importance lies in its location as a crossroads for supply routes linking Sudan’s central and northern regions.
Its recapture could shift the balance in a war that has devastated Sudan since April 2023, when tensions over integrating the RSF into the national military spiraled into open conflict.
The United Nations has labeled the situation the “world’s worst displacement crisis,” with over 12 million people uprooted, including 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries. Both sides have been accused of committing atrocities.
The RSF, led by Mohammed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti), faces allegations of genocide, sexual violence, and systematic looting.
The local resistance committee celebrated the army’s advance, calling it a step toward ending RSF “tyranny.” However, civilians in the region continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
Humanitarian organizations warn that famine looms, with food insecurity worsening as the conflict disrupts farming and aid delivery.
Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, remains a battleground, with the RSF controlling much of western Sudan and parts of the south, while the army holds the north and east.
The conflict’s root cause—the failed integration of the RSF—continues to drive one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Experts cautioned that while the recapture of Wad Madani marks a significant victory for the army, peace remains elusive as the two sides remain locked in a deadly power struggle. Without a political resolution, Sudan’s suffering shows no signs of ending.