Al-Burhan in Sennar: Is the Path to Wad Madani Now Clear?

Sudanese Armed Forces, supported by the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the General Intelligence Service, special support groups, and mobilized reserves, are preparing to advance toward Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, after securing the city of Sennar, the capital of Sennar State, on Saturday.

Sudanese cities such as Port Sudan, Gedaref, Sennar, Omdurman, and Shendi celebrated the army’s capture of Sennar, a critical gateway to liberating Al-Jazirah State.

The Sudanese Sovereignty Council announced in a press statement that its chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, visited Sennar. He declared the city liberated from the “terrorist rebel militia” and back under national control. Al-Burhan also inspected military operations in the Sennar axis and praised the forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation’s unity.

> “We dedicate this great victory to our people, who have endured murder, displacement, oppression, and looting at the hands of the Al-Dagalo terrorist militia. We are determined to cleanse every inch of our homeland from this criminal militia’s desecration.”

He expressed hope for the speedy recovery of the injured and eternal peace for the martyrs who played a pivotal role in liberating Sennar.

The General Intelligence Service (GIS) congratulated the Sudanese people and armed forces on the “great victory” achieved on Saturday, declaring Sennar and Blue Nile states free from rebel militia presence.

General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal, Director of the GIS, extended his congratulations to the Sudanese people, the armed forces, and other supporting units. He emphasized that the liberation of Sennar demonstrates the effectiveness of military operations and assured citizens that efforts to cleanse all rebel-occupied territories will persist.

> “The sacrifices made by the heroes of the armed forces and allied groups will not go in vain until every inch of Sudan is freed from these mercenaries and traitors,” he said.

Colonel Nabiel Abdullah, the army’s spokesperson, announced:

> “The General Command of the Armed Forces congratulates our resilient people on the liberation of Sennar and the restoration of the 17th Infantry Division Headquarters.”

He reaffirmed the army’s commitment to eradicating the rebel militia from all parts of Sudan and wished recovery for the injured and freedom for prisoners and the missing.

With the Sudanese army’s entry into Sennar, the path to liberating Al-Jazirah State has been opened. Sennar’s capture has severed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) supply lines to Wad Madani, significantly weakening their position.

On Friday, Al-Jazirah Governor Taher Ibrahim Al-Khair indicated during a media briefing in Port Sudan that victory was imminent. He highlighted the extensive damage inflicted by the RSF on government, social, and development institutions in the state, as well as their acts of terror against civilians.

> “The RSF forcibly displaced over 1,000 villages, committing killings and looting,” the governor said, noting that Al-Jazirah has suffered immensely compared to other states.

Despite the destruction, local communities have been instrumental in supporting the army and resisting the RSF’s incursions.

Since December, the RSF has perpetrated widespread violations in Al-Jazirah, including in Wad Madani, where they have entrenched themselves. However, the Sudanese army has launched successive operations, advancing from key axes such as Al-Managil to the west and Al-Khayari from Gedaref into Um Al-Qura in Al-Jazirah.

On October 20, RSF forces in eastern Al-Jazirah suffered a major setback when their commander, Abu Aqla Keikel, surrendered to the Sudanese army. Despite Keikel’s cooperation, RSF retaliatory attacks followed, intensifying conflict in the region.

A military source told Al-Muhaqiq news outlet that the army is determined to liberate Al-Jazirah State and end the suffering of its residents.