Sudan’s army and its allies have retaken a strategic town from the rebel Rapid Support Forces, officials said Saturday, dealing a major blow to the notorious paramilitary group which the United States has targeted in the country’s ongoing civil war. Was accused of committing genocide.
The recapture of the city of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira State, came more than a year after it was captured by the RSF. Wad Medani had previously been a haven for displaced families in the early months of the war.
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 when rising tensions between the army and RSF leaders escalated into open fighting in the capital Khartoum and other cities in the vast northeast African country.
More than 28,000 people were killed in the conflict, millions were forced to flee their homes and some families had to eat grass to survive as famine struck many parts of the country.
According to the United Nations and rights groups, it has been marked by grave atrocities, including ethnically motivated killing and rape. The International Criminal Court said it was investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration said the RSF and its proxies are committing genocide, and imposed sanctions on the RSF leader, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, as well as seven RSF-owned companies in the UAE, one of which was accused of trafficking. Also includes gold management. Out of Sudan.
The army said in a statement that its forces had entered Wad Meydani early Saturday and that they were working to “clear out the remnants of rebels inside the city.”
“Congratulations to the armed forces, their supporting forces everywhere, and our people as they regain their dignity, security and stability,” the statement said.
There was no immediate comment from RSF.
Culture and Information Minister Khaled Eleazar, who is a government spokesman, said the army and its allies had “liberated” Wad Meydani, about 100 kilometers southeast of Khartoum.
Soldiers posted videos on social media purportedly showing troops celebrating with residents in the city center. A video showed residents taking to the streets to celebrate the “liberation” of the city and shouting, “Allah is great.”
Since the RSF captured Wad Medani in December 2023, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in and around the city.
In recent months, the RSF has faced several attacks on the battlefield, giving the army the upper hand in the battle. It has lost control of Khartoum, the capital’s sister city Omdurman and several areas in the eastern and central provinces.
According to the United Nations, the war has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, driving more than 14 million people – about 30% of the population – from their homes. An estimated 3.2 million people have fled to neighboring countries Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.
According to the Integrated Food Security Classification, or IPC, an international monitoring project, famine has been detected in at least five areas, including three camps for displaced people in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. The IPC said famine is expected to occur in five other regions in the next six months. It says that there is a threat of famine in other areas.