Sudanese army gains ground in Al Jazirah state, tightens grip near Wad Madani
January 9, 2025 (AL-SHABARQA) – The Sudanese army secured strategic positions in Al Jazirah state on Thursday, marking its second day of advances, amid reports of its forces closing in on the state capital, Wad Madani, Sudan Tribune has learned.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a major offensive to retake Wad Madani on three fronts. Troops from Wad Al-Haddad seized the town of Al-Haj Abdallah, south of Al Jazirah, and surrounding villages, about 20 kilometres from the state capital. On the western axis, SAF forces took control of the villages of Mahla, Talha, and Al-Kumar Al-Ja’liyeen.
Major Bassam Abu Satour, a field commander on the Al-Faw axis, said the army had captured the town of Al-Shabarqa following “fierce battles” with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Video clips released by the army showed soldiers deployed in Al-Shabarqa, checking on civilians. The videos also showed captured RSF fighters.
The RSF had used Al-Shabarqa, about 37 kilometres east of Wad Madani, as a key defensive position, with a heavy troop presence. A previous army attempt to take the town resulted in significant losses.
Before entering Al-Shabarqa, the army secured the villages of Al-Tanwba Al-Jadeeda, Al-Tanwba Al-Qadeema, Jabr, Al-Sharif Yacoub, and Al-Baqsa, all located on the national road connecting Gederaf and Wad Madani.
Witnesses reported continued clashes between the army and the RSF on the western axis in several areas. Video clips released by army fighters showed them in control of Al-Warraq village and advancing towards Bika, about 13 kilometres west of Wad Madani.
On the eastern axis, the Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Agla Keikel, said that they, along with troops from the Operations Authority, were expanding their control in Um Al-Qura. They reported carrying out special operations within the Arkawit, Al-Ray, and Al-Tadamon neighbourhoods to the east and Qantara 9 to the north. They added that airstrikes continued to target RSF positions west of the city.