Sudanese Army Claims Major Victory, Seizes Key Eastern City from Rebels
The Sudanese military has announced the capture of Wad Madani, a vital city in the eastern region, marking one of its most significant victories in the nearly two-year-long war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Videos circulating online show jubilant crowds filling the streets, cheering as army troops entered the city. Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazira state, is strategically important, located 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. The city’s position as a hub connecting major supply routes adds to its strategic value, making it a critical gain for the army.
In an audio message, RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, acknowledged the loss. His tone was defiant but bitter, blaming the defeat on the army’s superior air power and Iranian-manufactured drones. Despite the setback, Hemedti vowed to continue the fight, declaring his forces would persevere “even if it takes 20 years” to achieve victory.
Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when hostilities erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese armed forces. The ongoing war has split control of the country. The RSF dominates the western Darfur region and large parts of the south, while the army holds the north, the east, and portions of Khartoum.
The human cost of the conflict is staggering. Tens of thousands of lives have been lost, and the United Nations describes the situation as one of the world’s worst displacement crises. Around nine million people have fled their homes, and nearly half the population—24.6 million individuals—urgently need food aid as famine looms.
The RSF’s reputation has also come under severe scrutiny. Earlier this month, the United States imposed sanctions on Hemedti, accusing the RSF of genocide and widespread atrocities during the 20-month conflict. US officials cited systematic violence against civilians as the basis for these measures.
As the battle for Sudan rages on, the capture of Wad Madani signals a turning point in the conflict, but the road to peace remains uncertain.
