Sudan: Strategic town of al-Malha in North Darfur falls into the hands of the Army

The Darfur Joint Forces, acting as substitutes for the Sudanese Army, achieved a significant victory against paramilitary groups in North Darfur, on January 1. They successfully recaptured the town of al-Malha, located in a desert region near the Libyan border and about 200 kilometers from el-Fasher.

Al-Malha is strategically important, as it serves as a key route for military supplies to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been encircling el-Fasher for months. This development could alter the dynamics of supply lines and impact the future of the town.

The fighting in the area began on December 28, 2024, and continued for four days. On January 1, a day marking Sudan’s 70th independence anniversary, Minni Arcou Minnaoui, the governor of Darfur, visited the site to commemorate the victory.

The army’s success in retaking al-Malha could ease the prolonged siege on el-Fasher, which has been under RSF bombardment and blockade for several months. The RSF’s supplies, which have been flowing through this desert route, could now be disrupted.

The clashes around al-Malha were intense, with army aviation providing crucial support. Additionally, the army received support from the local Midoub tribe, which played a key role in the operation. The army also gained control of other smaller towns in the region, including Mallit and Jabal Issa.