Army Regains Strategic Area and Tightens Siege on Wad Madani

The Sudanese army has regained control of a strategic area in Al-Jazirah State (central Sudan), located 40 kilometers from the state capital, Wad Madani, after intense battles that lasted for three nights.

Sources within the Sudanese army reported that the armed forces have recaptured the locality of “Um Al-Qura,” part of Al-Jazirah State, which had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They have also tightened their siege on Wad Madani, the state capital, as part of efforts to reclaim the city, which is the second-largest in Sudan. Army-affiliated platforms shared videos showing troops deployed in the area and citizens celebrating the expulsion of the RSF.

Um Al-Qura lies about 40 kilometers east of Wad Madani and is an important administrative locality in Al-Jazirah State due to its high population density and location on the fertile Al-Butana plain. The area includes several villages, and Um Al-Qura city serves as the administrative center for the locality.

Promises to Reclaim Wad Madani

The leader of the Sudan Shield Forces, allied with the army, Abu Aqla Kikel (a former RSF commander), appeared jubilant in a video filmed in front of the Um Al-Qura locality headquarters. He announced control over the area, stating that his forces had “defeated the RSF militias,” and vowed to liberate Wad Madani soon, followed by reclaiming the national capital, Khartoum.

Kikel had joined the RSF when they seized Al-Jazirah State in December 2023 but defected in October 2024, aligning himself with the army alongside tribal fighters under the name “Sudan Shield Forces.”

Since Tuesday, the army has launched coordinated offensives to reclaim Wad Madani, targeting the city from multiple directions. Forces are advancing from Al-Faw in Gedaref State to the east via the “Al-Khayyari” and “Major 5” axes, as well as from Sennar State and the Al-Managil locality in Al-Jazirah State.

On Thursday, the army seized the Al-Shabaraqa area, about 30 kilometers east of Wad Madani, along with several surrounding villages and towns. From the Al-Managil axis, approximately 70 kilometers west of Wad Madani, the army recaptured several villages and towns. Meanwhile, forces advancing from southern Al-Jazirah or Sennar State reclaimed control of the Al-Haj Abdullah area, 60 kilometers south of Wad Madani, on Wednesday.

This is not the first time the army has controlled Um Al-Qura. The strategic area was previously recaptured in December 2023 before being reclaimed by the RSF in a counterattack.

Silence from the Army

The army has yet to release an official statement regarding the situation on the ground. However, pro-army platforms have shared videos from Um Al-Qura showing soldiers and allied forces, including the Sudan Shield Forces and joint armed movement forces, within the area.

In December 2023, with the participation of forces loyal to Kikel, the RSF seized most parts of Al-Jazirah State, except for the Al-Managil locality. The army’s First Division withdrew without significant resistance. At the time, the army stated it was investigating the withdrawal, but the findings have not been made public.

The RSF has faced accusations of widespread violations and atrocities in Al-Jazirah State, particularly in Wad Madani and surrounding villages and towns, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to flee to safer areas within Sudan or seek refuge in neighboring countries.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 people fled Al-Jazirah State following the RSF’s takeover in mid-December 2023. Additional waves of displacement followed in eastern Al-Jazirah due to clashes that erupted after Kikel’s defection from the RSF and his declaration of allegiance to the army.