Sudanese army intensifies operations to reclaim strategic Jabal Moya area

July 16 2024 (SENNAR) – The Sudanese army and its allied forces have intensified military operations around the Jabal Moya area in northern Sennar state, aiming to regain control of this strategic area.

Jabal Moya, a series of hills located on a key national road linking the states of Sennar, Al Jazirah, and the White Nile, lies approximately 300 kilometres southeast of Khartoum and 30 kilometres west of Sennar city.

In June, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Jabal Moya, which had served as the army’s main defence point for Sennar state. From this position, the RSF launched attacks and captured Singa, the state capital, as well as Al-Dinder, Ad-Dali, and Al-Mazmum, leaving the army with only the city of Sennar.

According to field sources speaking to Sudan Tribune, the army has advanced toward Jabal Moya from the White Nile state to the west to reclaim this vital area.

Recapturing Jabal Moya is crucial for the army to prevent an RSF siege of the White Nile and Blue Nile states, as well as the cities of Sennar and Al-Manaqil in Al Jazirah state.

The RSF currently maintains a siege on the White Nile state, bordering South Sudan, with forces stationed in three locations: Um Rawaba in North Kordofan state to the west, Al-Qattinah locality in the White Nile state to the north, and Jabal Moya in Sennar state to the east.

The same sources indicate that the army regained control of Jabal Al-Dud within the Jabal Moya hill range last week and has since expanded eastward, capturing Jabal Al-A’war, a location closer to Jabal Moya.

Reports suggest that on Monday, the army attacked Jabal Saqdi and areas surrounding Jabal Moya, west of Sennar city. They successfully combed the surrounding areas, inflicting losses on the RSF in terms of both personnel and combat vehicles.

The army has also cleared villages in the foothills of Jabal Qara, Sidi, and Al-Tal’a, bringing them closer to Jabal Moya along the national road connecting Sennar and Rabak in the White Nile state.