![A view of the clashes between SAF and RSF at Nyala’s Al-Nahda neighborhood. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nyala-Clashes.png?resize=1274%2C654&ssl=1)
This follows a major offensive launched by the RSF on December 15th, adding another layer of uncertainty to the ongoing Sudanese conflict.
The RSF operation, initiated from Madani’s outskirts, successfully secured the crucial Central Reserve Police headquarters and courthouse in Hantoob.
They also seized the crucial first infantry division headquarters situated east of the River Nile before crossing the Hantoob Bridge towards Wad Madani town on Monday evening, bolstering their presence in strategic military locations around the city.
Eyewitnesses reported minimal clashes during the RSF’s crossing of the Hantoob Bridge, with sporadic gunfire heard west of the Nile.
“The RSF had already secured the division headquarters before crossing the bridge,” clarified an anonymous eyewitness. “Their presence is now felt in various parts of Madani, including Madani Market, sending chills down the spines of civilians caught in the crossfire.”
While Madani itself hasn’t been directly captured, the RSF’s control over these strategic installations marks a significant escalation in the conflict and threatens the city’s role as a haven for the displaced.
Thousands who fled violence in Khartoum, White Nile, and Northern Kordofan sought refuge in al-Gezira, and the recent RSF advancement could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation, forcing even more vulnerable individuals to flee once again.
The international community has responded with strong calls for de-escalation. The United States, through its Bureau of African Affairs, reiterated its demand for the RSF to halt its advance in al-Gezira and refrain from any further offensive actions in Al Fasher, North Darfur State.
“We reiterate our call on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan to immediately halt their advance in Gezira State, refrain from attacking Wad Madani, and immediately cease any offensive actions in El-Fasher,” said the US Department of State Bureau of African Affairs in a statement on X today.
This plea echoes an earlier warning by the US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who stressed accountability for those perpetrating violence against civilians.
“Gravely concerned by reports of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces on Wad Madani in Sudan – where thousands have sought refuge from war,” she tweeted. “I urge the RSF to refrain from attacks and for all parties to protect civilians at all costs. Perpetrators of terror will be held accountable.”
The situation in Madani and al-Gezira remains fluid and tense, with sporadic clashes and the region’s future hanging in the balance. The RSF’s control of strategic military sites marks a turning point in the conflict, and how the Sudanese military responds will be crucial in determining the fate of the region.
