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Battle of Wad Madani

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Battle of Wad Madani
Part of Sudanese civil war (2023–present)
DateRSF attack: 15–19 December 2023 (2023-12-15 – 2023-12-19), (4 days)
SAF offense: 4 April 2024; 8 months ago (2024-04-04)
Location
Wad Madani, Gezira State
Result RSF victory[1]
Territorial
changes		 RSF captures most of Gezira State[2]
Combatants
Sudanese Armed Forces Rapid Support Forces
Commanders and leaders
Ahmad al-Tayeb Surrendered[3] Abu Agla Keikel[4]
Units involved
1st Infantry Division Unknown

The Battle of Wad Madani was a battle in the Sudanese civil war over the control of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State in east-central Sudan, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).[5] The battle ended in an RSF victory on 19 December 2023.

Background

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Gezira and White Nile states were historically considered SAF strongholds.[6] In Gezira State alone, over 40,000 people were mobilized into the SAF.[7] De facto leader of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan regularly made visits to southern cities that served as training hubs for new SAF recruits, including Wad Madani.[8] Gezira is Sudan's most fertile state, producing much of the country's agricultural products, including half of its total wheat, making the state a major food source for the country.[9] As such, the state is referred to as Sudan's "breadbasket."[10]

For most of the war, the battle for Khartoum was in stalemate. However, on 11 November, the Shambat Bridge over the Nile was destroyed, denying the RSF a critical supply route to the western side of the river.[11] In need of a new crossing, the RSF assaulted the village of Jabal Awliya on the border with the southern states to capture the Jebel Aulia Dam. A week of fighting later, the RSF captured both.[12] Jabal Awliya's seizure gave the RSF access to the south. Afterward, the RSF had been sighted in the states of Gezira, White Nile[6] and later Al Qadarif for the first time.[13] On 14 December, the RSF carried out a raid on northern Gezira, capturing the town of Abu Guta without resistance, thereby gaining a foothold in the state.[14]

RSF attack

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The battle began on 15 December with a flanking maneuver by the RSF that bypassed the northern city of Rufaa and threatened to cut off the SAF, forcing the latter to retreat to Wad Madani itself.[15] The RSF then swiftly entered the city's suburbs of Abu Haraz and Hantoob on the eastern side of the Blue Nile.[16]

Most of the fighting took place in Hantoob as the RSF focused on capturing the strategic Hantoob Bridge over the Blue Nile.[15] The SAF claimed that the first RSF assault on the city was repelled with heavy artillery and air strikes, prompting civilians to celebrate on the streets.[17] However, it was later known that these attacks failed to stem the RSF advance.[15] Fears of RSF "sleeper cells" spread throughout the city and people began to be arrested mainly on ethnic basis.[16] After three days of fighting, the RSF captured a military base that guarded the eastern side of the bridge.[18]

Taking the bridge, the RSF invaded the city proper and quickly advanced to its main market.[15] SAF defenses promptly collapsed as RSF control soon extended to major government buildings in the city, including the 1st Infantry Division's headquarters and the central police station.[4] The SAF abandoned their positions and fled to neighboring states, leaving the rest of the city to be taken mostly without a fight.[19] However, isolated SAF pockets continued to resist around the 1st Infantry Division headquarters until they were quelled[19] while airstrikes by the SAF persisted.[20]

Aftermath

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Further information: 2024 eastern Gezira State massacres, Galgani massacre, and Wad An Nora massacre

The loss of Wad Madani was described as a "major turn" in the war by Al Jazeera.[21] It astonished Sudan and a feeling of anger swept Sudanese circles.[3] Some residents said they were losing faith that the SAF would protect them and stop the RSF.[21] The SAF's collapse allowed the RSF to subsequently conquer most of the state, push into White Nile, and reach Sennar State further south.[9]

The military faced criticism for its conduct in the city afterward. An expert warned that the loss of the city would dampen public opinion on Burhan and his government.[10] Calls grew for Burhan to step down and for the military to change its strategy.[22] Calls also grew for a coup d'etat to remove the current military leadership.[23] Analysts, however, warned such a move would likely fragment the SAF.[22] The SAF said it would conduct an investigation into why the military retreated from the city.[24] Burhan blamed "negligence" for the city's fall and pledged that those responsible would be held accountable.[25]

On 7 January, the SAF conducted airstrikes on Wad Madani killing at least 11 civilians.[26]

After a month of the fall of Wad Madani, Malik Agar ordered the 4th Infantry Division in Blue Nile to move north toward Wad Madani.[27]

Analysis

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The capture of Wad Madani gave the RSF free movement throughout Gezira State and access to other major cities in the fertile Butana region, including El-Gadarif, Kosti, and Sennar, making it difficult for the SAF to concentrate its forces.[23]

Hussein Rabah, a Sudanese military expert, described Wad Madani as the "lungs of Sudan", an important crossroads for the country. He said its capture effectively cut off the regions of Darfur and Kordofan, and the states of Khartoum and White Nile from the army.[7] Cameron Hudson, a former United States official and expert on the Horn of Africa, believed that Burhan would likely turn to Eritrea or Iran in the hopes of changing the tide back in the SAF's favor.[10]

In 2024, Abu Aqla Kikal, a former RSF commander in Gezira State who defected to the SAF, accused SAF Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Al-Numan of withdrawing his forces from the Halfaya Bridge, enabling the RSF to enter Wad Madani. Sources within the SAF also accused Numan, who has since defected to the RSF of withdrawing his forces from their positions during the battle without authorisation.[28]

SAF offense

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On 4 April, the SAF launched an offensive to reclaim Gezira State. Sudan Tribune stated that the SAF retook the villages of Wad Faqisha and Hafira in Gezira State from the RSF without resistance.[29] The SAF has also claimed to have retaken the town of Al-Qalaa Al-Bayda, 30 kilometers east of Wad Madani, from the RSF.[30]

Displacement

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Throughout Sudan, as of December 2023, millions of people had been internally displaced from war.[31] Before the battle started, Wad Madani was the most common area for displaced civilians to go and was generally considered a safe haven.[32] Before the RSF offensive on Gezira, it was believed that the state hosted 500,000 displaced people, which mostly came from the Battle in Khartoum.[33] The United States urged the RSF to halt their advance in Gezira State and the attack on Wad Madani, saying it would put civilians at risk and hamper relief efforts.[34] By 18 December the International Organization for Migration estimated that between 250,000 and 300,000 people had fled the state since the start of hostilities, leaving for the neighbouring states of Al Qadarif, White Nile, and Sennar.[35] Most aid groups had suspended work in the city after fighting began.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Salih, Zeinab Mohammed (18 December 2023). "RSF paramilitary seizes control of Wad Madani, Sudan's second city". The Guardian.
  2. ^ "RSF seize another key town in central Sudan". Africanews. 21 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Wad Madani's fall to RSF without fight raises questions". Sudan Tribune. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b Nur, Muhammad (19 December 2023). "The Rapid Support Forces take control of Wad Madani, including the army headquarters, after the latter fled to Sennar and Damazin". Sudan War Monitor (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Sudan: fighting spreads to Wad Madani, spared from violence until now". Africanews. 15 December 2023. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b "A genocidal militia is winning the war in Sudan". The Economist. 16 November 2023. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b Madibo, Abdel (19 December 2023). "Wad Madani: After the Rapid Support Forces took control of Sudan's lungs, will the army's breathing be cut off?". Radio Dabanga (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Updates on military developments in Sudan as another round of peace talks fails". Sudan War Monitor. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b "RSF consolidate control over Jezira and reach the gates of Sennar". Sudan War Monitor. 22 December 2023. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Houreld, Katharine (19 December 2023). "Paramilitary force takes city in heart of Sudan's breadbasket; 300,000 flee". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Sudanese army accuses RSF of destroying strategic bridge in the capital". Sudan Tribune. 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  12. ^ "Rapid collapse of Sudan army defenses in Jebel Aulia". Sudan War Monitor. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  13. ^ "RSF enter Gedaref State for the first time". Sudan War Monitor. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Map: RSF raid Abu Guta in Jezira State". Sudan War Monitor. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d "RSF seize bridge and storm into Wad Madani". Sudan War Monitor. 19 December 2023. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Fighting nears the Wad Madani bridge". Sudan War Monitor. 16 December 2023. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Wad Madani: RSF push back after intense clashes with Sudanese army". Sudan Tribune. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  18. ^ "SRF seize military base, escalate fighting near Wad Madani". Sudan Tribune. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Wad Madani's fall to RSF without fight raises questions". Sudan Tribune. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  20. ^ "RSF takes control of Sudan army and police bases in Wad Madani". Radio Dabanga. 19 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  21. ^ a b c Nashed, Mat (19 December 2023). "'Losing hope': Sudan civilians terrified as RSF attacks second-biggest city". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b Nashed, Mat (20 December 2023). "'Remove him': Sudan's army chief al-Burhan faces backlash after RSF gains". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  23. ^ a b "Fall of Wad Madani fuels criticism of army". Sudan War Monitor. 20 December 2023. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  24. ^ Dahir, Abdi Latif (20 December 2023). "Sudan's Army Faces Scrutiny After Major City Falls to Rival Forces". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  25. ^ Chibelushi, Wedaeli (22 December 2023). "Sudan war: General Burhan blames fall of Wad Madani on 'negligence'". BBC. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  26. ^ "At least 11 dead as airstrikes on Sudan capital and Wad Madani continue". Dabanga Radio TV Online. 7 January 2024.
  27. ^ "4th Infantry to move north toward Wad Madani". sudanwarmonitor.com.
  28. ^ "Sudanese army officer implicated in fall of Wad Madani to RSF". Sudan Tribune. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  29. ^ "Sudanese army launches multi-pronged offensive to reclaim Al-Jazirah state". Sudan Tribune. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Sudanese army advances in Al-Jazirah, RSF vows response". Sudan Tribune. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  31. ^ "UN Says Sudan Conflict Has Displaced 6.6 Million; US Cites Ongoing War Crimes". The Media Line. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  32. ^ "Sudan: 300,000 flee as RSF advance on key city and aid hub – DW – 12/19/2023". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  33. ^ "UN says up to 300,000 Sudanese fled their homes after paramilitary group seized their safe haven". PBS News. 21 December 2023.
  34. ^ "US urges Sudanese fighters to halt advance on aid hub". The Times of India. 17 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  35. ^ "At least 250,000 flee fighting in Sudan's El Gezira state, says International Organization for Migration". The Globe and Mail. 18 December 2023. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.

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