Sudanese army engages in multi-front offensive to recapture Al-Jazirah state
Sudanese army forces have initiated a coordinated offensive aimed at reclaiming control of Al-Jazirah state, as disclosed by a senior military official on Friday.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the officer revealed that troops have been mobilized from Al-Khayari towards positions held by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to the east of Al-Jazirah. Concurrently, limited operations are underway on the western and southern fronts, focusing on the areas near Al-Manaqil and Sennar, respectively.
According to the aforementioned source, army forces achieved territorial gains by capturing Wad Faqisha and Hafira villages on Thursday, encountering minimal resistance from RSF units. Reports from local sources indicated sporadic clashes east of Wad Madani on Friday, along the route linking Al-Jazirah and Gedaref, likely involving reconnaissance units from both sides.
On the western front near Al-Manaqil, a substantial army contingent, including the Special Action Forces, executed a raid targeting an RSF position in a village, as depicted in a video release. Furthermore, another video showcased an army unit conducting a sweep operation in Doha village, west of Sennar, following recent civilian casualties allegedly inflicted during RSF-led looting raids.
The Sudanese Army’s Air Force also played a pivotal role in the offensive by conducting airstrikes on RSF positions in Shabarqa, situated east of Wad Madani. Consequently, the RSF was compelled to utilize civilian residences as makeshift barracks and cover for vehicles to evade airstrikes, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region.
These military maneuvers constitute a part of a broader operation aimed at restoring government control over Al-Jazirah. Recent high-level visits by army leadership to bordering states have been accompanied by declarations of an impending operation to “liberate” Wad Madani from RSF dominance. The RSF initially seized control of Wad Madani in December 2023 and subsequently expanded their presence southward towards Sennar. However, their advance has been hindered by the entrenched positions of army forces in the western Al-Manaqil and Al-Qurashi localities.
