Sudan’s Burhan says 30 units ready to retake Al-Jazirah, Khartoum

December 15, 2024 (JEBEL AL-GHAR) – Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said on Sunday 30 mobile units were poised to retake the capital, Khartoum and Al Jazirah state from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Speaking to fighters loyal to the army in Jabel Al-Ghar, Burhan said the units “will not stop until these people are finished or surrender their weapons.”

He ruled out any negotiations or truce with the RSF. “We have neither a truce nor negotiations, and we have no choice but for these people to end or surrender. Our battle continues,” Burhan said.

“The enemy is at its weakest and is faltering… We are watching this morning and evening, and we will meet soon in Wad Madani,” he added, referring to Al Jazirah state’s capital.

This is Burhan’s first visit to the area where he addressed hundreds of fighters mobilized by Abu Aqla Kakl, commander of the “Sudan Shield” forces who defected from the RSF on October 21st and joined the army. The gathering took place in the Jabel Al-Ghar area of Al-Sabagh locality of the Gedaref state.

Burhan accused the international community of ignoring the conflict. “If the world was working with us, it would have stopped the attack on El Fasher and prevented the flow of weapons to Darfur,” he said.

He urged those able to fight to join the army against the RSF, promising support “until the rebellion is eliminated.”

In late September, the army launched a major offensive, retaking parts of Khartoum and most of Sennar state further south. Heavy fighting is ongoing near Wad Madani.