Sudan army, RSF clash over strategic mountain in Sennar

October 3, 2024 (SENNAR) – Heavy fighting broke out Thursday between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Jabal Moya area of southeastern Sennar state, with both sides claiming victory.

Army commanders said they had retaken the strategic mountain, which overlooks key roads linking Sennar to neighbouring states. The RSF denied the claim, saying it had repulsed the army’s attack and inflicted significant casualties.

“Our forces took complete control of the Jabal Moya al-Mahatta area,” an army source told Sudan Tribune. He said the army had established “huge checkpoints” in the area, which lies about 5 km (3 miles) from the main peak.

Videos circulated on social media, which Sudan Tribune could not immediately verify, appeared to show army soldiers celebrating on the mountain and capturing RSF positions.

The RSF, in a statement, said its forces had thwarted a “brutal attack” by the army and its allies, inflicting “heavy losses in lives and military equipment.”

Jabal Moya has been a key battleground in the conflict between the army and the RSF, which erupted in mid-April 2023. The RSF captured the mountain in June 2024, using it as a base to launch attacks on nearby towns and cities.

The fighting in Sennar is the latest in a series of clashes between the two sides, who have been battling for control of the country for nearly six months. The conflict has killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.

(ST)