Conflict Erupts on Outskirts of Wad Madani as RSF Launches Offensive

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, has initiated a major offensive on the outskirts of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, early Friday morning. The offensive sparked intense confrontations with the Sudanese army, which swiftly deployed substantial firepower to counter the RSF advance.

The conflict unfolded a mere 15 kilometers from Wad Madani, a city in central Sudan with a population exceeding 1.5 million in which two lives were tragically lost and dozens more were injured.

It was reported that the RSF employed hundreds of armored vehicles and armed personnel, infiltrated Al-Jazirah State from Eastern Nile in Khartoum State, specifically targeting areas east of Wad Madani, including Al-Alila, Al-Sharafa, and Abu Haraz.8

In response to the situation, the military sealed the Hantoub Bridge leading to Wad Madani, stationed troops on both sides and residents of the Al-Dabbaga neighborhood, closest to the bridge, were urgently evacuated and advised to seek safety.

Meanwhile, the pro-democracy coalition leaders Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) in a statement, expressed strong disapproval of the RSF’s military operations, citing human rights violations against civilians, this is after they had faced criticism for not denouncing previous rights abuses and war crimes committed by paramilitary forces in Khartoum.

The preliminary committee of the Sudan Doctors Syndicate on it’s part, expressed concern about the potential impact of the conflict on healthcare services in the country if the conflict expands to
Wad Madani, a city deemed a safe haven for many Sudanese seeking medical attention.