Sudan paramilitary leader says 'lost' Al-Jazira state capital
Introduction
Sudanese paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has admitted that his forces have lost control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazira state. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army.
Key Details
Loss of Wad Madani: The RSF lost control of Wad Madani to the Sudanese army and allied groups, who reclaimed the city after over a year of paramilitary rule. Daglo acknowledged this loss in an audio address on Saturday evening, stating, “Today we lost a round, we did not lose the battle,” and promising victory to his troops.
Strategic Importance
Wad Madani is a crucial crossroads with key supply highways linking several states and is the nearest major town to the capital Khartoum. Its recapture by the army represents their most significant breakthrough since seizing control of Omdurman nearly a year ago.
Army’s Advance
The Sudanese armed forces announced their entry into Wad Madani, with government officials allied to the army hailing the recapture of the city. The army claimed to have freed prisoners detained by the RSF and stated they were working on clearing the remaining rebels inside the city.
Broader Context
Ongoing Conflict
Sudan has been embroiled in a war between the army and the RSF since April 2023, leading to what the UN describes as the world’s worst displacement crisis. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 12 million people, with over 3 million fleeing across borders.
Humanitarian Crisis
The war has caused severe food insecurity, with parts of Sudan facing famine conditions. Both the army and the RSF have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and indiscriminately shelling residential areas.
International Response
The United States recently imposed sanctions on RSF leader Daglo, accusing the group of committing genocide.
Conclusion
While this loss is significant for the RSF, they still control most of the rest of Al-Jazira state, nearly all of Sudan’s western Darfur region, and parts of the country’s south. The situation remains fluid, and the conflict continues to have severe humanitarian consequences for the Sudanese people.
