Sudan army tightens noose around RSF in Al Jazarih
January 2, 2024 (AL-HAJ ABDALLAH) – The Sudanese army has intensified its offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Al-Haj Abdallah, aiming to retake Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazirah state, military sources said on Wednesday.
The army air force destroyed a bridge on a key irrigation canal supplying the Al Jazirah agricultural project near Al-Haj Abdallah, the sources told Sudan Tribune. This tactic aims to restrict RSF movements and cut off supply lines.
“The airstrike targeted the western canal bridge, creating a significant gap,” one source said. “This secures villages west of Al-Haj Abdallah and boxes the RSF in between the canals and the Blue Nile.”
The Al Jazirah and Al Manaqil agricultural project is one of Sudan’s largest, with two main canals running from the Sennar reservoir. The army now controls key bridges along these canals, including Bridge 57, Bridge 39, and Bridge 77, further limiting RSF mobility.
The army is also present south of Al-Haj Abdallah in Maziqila, Al-Daniqila, and Dafa Allah villages, while the RSF are mainly concentrated in Saqra, east of Al-Haj Abdallah, and Al-Shakaba Al-Noor to the north.
Taking Al-Haj Abdallah and Al-Shakaba Al-Noor would put the army within 20 km (12 miles) of Wad Madani, which is already under siege from the east and west.
Separately, the air force conducted strikes on RSF positions in Al-Shabarqa and Al-Sharif Yaqoub, east of the Blue Nile, targeting their strongholds in mango orchards.
High-ranking Sudanese army officers recently acknowledged preparations for a major offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Al-Jazirah state. However, the anticipated operation has yet to materialize, raising questions about the cause of the delay.
The RSF seized Wad Madani in December and has since pushed south towards Sennar state.