Sudan army retakes key town in Al Jazirah state
January 8, 2025 (HAJ ABDALLAH) – Sudanese army soldiers and allied fighters recaptured the town of Haj Abdallah in Al Jazirah state on Wednesday and were advancing north towards Wad Madani, military sources said.
In late 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized Haj Abdallah, about 58 km (36 miles) from Wad Madani.
Army soldiers posted videos on social media showing them in control of Haj Abdallah and the village of Mahalla, 13 km (8 miles) west of Wad Madani.
Military sources told Reuters the army was advancing to the village of Al Shakkaba Al Noor, where the RSF are stationed, about 20 km (12 miles) from Wad Madani.
The sources said a military unit that advanced from Sennar and captured Haj Abdallah linked up with another unit coming from Al Manaqil at Bridge 57.
On Jan. 2, the army destroyed a bridge in Haj Abdallah to prevent the RSF from infiltrating villages north of the area.
Major Fath Al-Alim Al-Shobli of the General Intelligence Service said the army had inflicted heavy losses on the RSF in Haj Abdallah, forcing them to flee.
He said seven RSF combat vehicles were destroyed, along with a C8 vehicle, and a 40-barrel rocket launcher was disabled. He added that the army captured light weapons and was advancing steadily.
The Um Al-Qura platform, a local media outlet, said fierce fighting was taking place east of Al Jazirah state between the army and its allies against the RSF.
It said the RSF were positioned in the centre of Wad Madani, while the air force bombed RSF movements coming from the Wad Al-Muhaidi area.
The army and its allies attacked Um Al-Qura locality from several directions, the platform said, adding that the RSF were fiercely defending their positions.
The RSF seized Um Al-Qura locality on Dec. 7 after the army withdrew. The army had recaptured it for several days.
The army continues to tighten its grip on the RSF in Al Jazirah, where residents have been subjected to alleged abuses, including mass killings, rape, and looting.