Sudanese army launches offensive to recapture key states
October 18, 2024 (GEDERAF)—The Sudanese army launched a major military operation on Friday from the Al-Faw axis in Gederaf state, eastern Sudan, to advance towards Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah state. This offensive coincides with the arrival of the army’s assistant commander, Shams al-Din Kabbashi, on the Al-Faw front.
Military units comprising the army and the joint force of Darfur armed movements are stationed in the Al-Faw and al-Khiari areas in western Gederaf, bordering Al Jazirah state. This strategic positioning follows the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) takeover of Wad Madani. However, the Sudanese army retains control of the Al Manaqil area, about 15 kilometres west of Wad Madani.
Earlier this month, the army successfully recaptured the strategic (Jabal Moya) area, located on the national road linking the states of Sennar, Al Jazirah, and White Nile.
The RSF had seized Wad Madani in December of last year before expanding southward and capturing Sennar state, including the town of Al Dinder, leading to Gederaf state in the east, in July.
Military sources told Sudan Tribune that the armed forces launched ground attacks with heavy weapons and artillery, supported by the air force, via the Al-Faw and al-Khiari axis on Friday morning.
The army forces managed to gain control of the areas of Hafeira, Wad Faqisha, Wad Al-Reed, Al-Hatunab, Al-Shadaida, and Al-Hariga on the Gederaf-Wad Madani road. These areas are approximately 20-25 kilometres from the Hantoub Bridge on the Blue Nile, which leads to Wad Madani.
The sources added that, following Friday’s operations on the Al-Faw axis, the armed forces have started to impose their control over eastern Wad Madani. They are currently engaged in ground military operations, supported by the air force, to regain control of Al Dinder, east of Sennar state, and Al Jazirah state, where they have made progress on both axes.
Soldiers affiliated with the army broadcast video clips showing the advance of forces on the Al-Faw axis and destroyed military vehicles they claimed belonged to the RSF.
The army, aiming to retake Wad Madani, has launched an offensive under Lieutenant General Adam Haroun, capturing 12 villages east of Al Jazirah state and reaching the outskirts of al-Shabarqa, where RSF forces are based, the sources told Sudan Tribune.
Sudan’s air force bombed a convoy of 15 Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vehicles advancing from al-Hasahisa in Al-Jazirah state, about 45 km (28 miles) north of Wad Madani, to halt the army’s progress towards the city, military and local sources said.
They added that the army deployed six fighter jets, drones, heavy artillery, and advanced weapons in the operation.
In a related development, the Sovereignty Council media stated that the member of the Sovereignty Council and deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Shams al-Din Kabbashi, inspected the Eastern Region Command on Friday, accompanied by Mohamed Abbas Al-Labeeb, deputy director of the General Intelligence Service, Hassan Bilal, director of military security, and Major General Pilot Talal Ali Al-Raih, head of air operations control.
Kabbashi was received by Major General Ahmed Mohamed Al-Hassan Al-Amas, commander of the eastern region.
Kabbashi received a comprehensive briefing on the progress of operations in the region and was reassured of the high morale of the soldiers, the mobilized forces, and the popular resistance participating in the battles to restore security and stability and defeat the Rapid Support Forces, said the Sovereign Council.