Sudanese army denies RSF control of new areas in Al-Jazira State
October 9, 2023 – (KHARTOUM) Sudanese army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah denied on Monday that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had taken control of new areas in Al-Jazeera State in central Sudan.
On October 7, RSF field commander Abu Aqla Kikl threatened to invade Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazeera State, after appearing in a video clip with dozens of soldiers in front of the entrance to the town of Al-Aidij in the eastern Al-Jazeera locality.
On Sunday, platforms affiliated with the Sudanese army published a video of soldiers standing in the same location where Abu Aqla Kikel spoke at the entrance to Al-Eidj.
Abdallah confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Monday that the RSF does not control the region, saying, “There is no expansion of the militia in Al-Jazeera State.”
He further rejected accusations against the Sudanese army of refraining from protecting civilians and added, “The armed forces cannot fail to protect their citizens. The problem is that the rebels are taking refuge in residential neighbourhoods and homes in the capital, but all areas surrounding the military sites enjoy security and stability.”
The army had been blamed for failing to protect civilians in Al-Ailafon of Khartoum state last week when the RSF fighters seized the area.
The war in Sudan, which began in Khartoum and expanded to include large areas in Darfur and Kordofan, is about to complete its sixth month.
The fight continues in Sudan despite the intense pressure exerted by international and regional parties, other political forces, and civil groups to stop the bloody conflict. Both sides ignore calls for a truce and insist on fighting to achieve a sweeping military victory.
The fighting has led to highly complex humanitarian conditions, the displacement of more than five million people internally and externally, and the conflict has caused massive destruction of infrastructure in the country.
(ST)