Sudanese army retakes A-Dinder from RSF
July 4, 2024 (A-DINDER) – The Sudanese army and its allied armed movements announced on Thursday the recapture of A-Dinder, a city in Sennar State, southeast Sudan, five days after it fell under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF had seized the town, located on the border between Sennar and Gedaref states in eastern Sudan, and engaged in widespread violations, including looting money, agricultural crops, gold jewellery, mobile phones, and cars, as part of a larger campaign impacting multiple villages.
Video clips released by sources affiliated with the army and the joint force revealed the destruction inflicted by the RSF on civilian property, including cars, houses, and shops. Other footage showed combat vehicles and motorcycles belonging to the RSF, which were destroyed by the joint army and allied forces following intense battles in different neighbourhoods.
A statement from the joint force declared that they had “liberated A-Dinder and pursued the Janjaweed militia to the entrance of Sinjah,” a nearby town. They also recovered looted property and urged citizens to return home, promising protection.
The joint force, composed of the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi, the Justice and Equality Movement led by Gibril Ibrahim, and a faction of the Gathering of Sudan Liberation Forces, has a strong presence in Al-Faw of Gedaref State.
Strategically located about 25 kilometres from Sinjah, the capital of Sennar State, A-Dinder serves as a vital link between the Sennar and Blue Nile regions and eastern Sudan.
The A-Dinder Bridge, spanning the Blue Nile, became an escape route for thousands of civilians fleeing RSF abuses in Sennar State. They sought refuge in the eastern states.
Previously, on June 29, the RSF took control of Sinjah after moving their forces along dirt roads from the Jebel Moya areas, about 40 kilometres south of Sennar city. After capturing the army base and local government headquarters, RSF members reportedly engaged in looting and terrorizing residents.