Army clashes with RSF, reaches Dinder outskirts in southeastern Sudan

October 19, 2024 (AL-DINDER) – The Sudanese army clashed with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the outskirts of Al-Dinder on Saturday, as it pressed a renewed offensive to retake the strategically important city in southeastern Sudan.

The army, supported by the allied Darfur joint force and local resistance fighters, launched the operation on Friday. It aims to reclaim territory in Sennar and Gezira states. Progress has been slow but steady since the army shifted to an attack strategy on Sept. 26.

“Heavy fighting raged between the army and RSF on the eastern edge of Al-Dinder,” military sources told Sudan Tribune. The army reportedly captured RSF vehicles, destroyed others, and established checkpoints in surrounding villages.

However, the army’s advance is hampered by a critical bottleneck: a single-lane iron bridge providing the only eastern access to the city.

The RSF captured Al-Dinder in July after heavy fighting and installed a local administration drawn from the city’s residents.

Since then, the army has maintained pressure with air strikes targeting surrounding villages, particularly Kamrab, which is perceived as an RSF stronghold due to its links to the Rizeigat tribe.

The fertile lands of Al-Jazirah and Sennar attracted Arab tribes and other groups migrating from western Sudan, seeking relief from drought and better opportunities. The RSF is accused of inciting discord and conflict among the diverse social groups residing in these regions.

The battle for Al-Dinder is the latest chapter in a brutal conflict that has displaced millions and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Civilians caught in the crossfire are facing dire conditions, with limited access to food, water, and medical care.