Sudan: Wad Madani, a strategic city recaptured by army
The Sudanese army has announced a major breakthrough in the country’s nearly two-year war, declaring victory in the pivotal city of Wad Madani. Celebratory footage circulating on social media shows residents cheering as troops entered the urban center, which is located 140 kilometers south of Khartoum in Al Jazira State. Military gains in Wad Madani, a central crossroads linking various regions, mark one of the government’s most significant advances against rebel forces since the conflict began.
General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, leads the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that have been battling the army since April 2023. In an audio statement, he angrily confirmed the loss, attributing the defeat to the army’s superior air power, including the use of Iranian-manufactured drones. Despite the setback, he vowed to continue fighting indefinitely, declaring that his forces would persevere for another 20 years if necessary.
On Januray 1, the Darfur Joint Forces, acting as substitutes for the Sudanese Army, 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 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 war has split Sudan into multiple zones of control. The RSF dominates much of Darfur in the west and holds key areas in the south, while the army maintains a strong presence in the north and east, as well as parts of the capital. Civilian casualties have been devastating; tens of thousands have died, and millions more have fled their homes. Hunger is spreading, with the United Nations reporting that around half of the population urgently requires food aid.
International scrutiny of the conflict has mounted in recent months. Earlier in January, the United States imposed sanctions on Hemedti, accusing the RSF of committing genocide and atrocities against Sudanese civilians. Despite global pressure, the situation on the ground remains dire, and analysts warn that Sudan faces an escalating humanitarian crisis unless both sides commit to a negotiated settlement.
