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Reuters quoted witnesses as saying: Rapid Support Forces Yesterday, Saturday, I clashed with… Sudanese army Outside a city Wad Madani In the state of Al-Jazira (central country), the confrontations prompted thousands of civilians to flee towards safer areas.
Witnesses said that the Sudanese army – which has controlled Wad Madani since the fighting began in mid-April – carried out air strikes east of the city in order to repel the attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces on Friday.
They added that the Rapid Support Forces were led by Muhammad Hamdan Hemedti It responded to the air strikes with artillery, and its reinforcements were seen moving towards the area where the fighting was taking place.
Residents said that Rapid Support Forces fighters were also seen in the villages north and west of Wad Madani during the past days and weeks.
Pictures showed columns of smoke rising from the outskirts of this city.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed – in a statement – that fighting broke out on Friday morning in the suburbs of “Wad Madani”, to which more than 86,000 people were displaced, out of 500,000 who fled to Al-Jazira State.
Residents are displaced
The United Nations said that 14,000 people fled the areas of confrontation around Wad Madani, noting that some of them arrived in other cities.
A video on social media showed crowds of people gathering their belongings and leaving Wad Madani on foot.
The Sudan Doctors Syndicate warned – in a statement – that the region’s hospitals – which have become a humanitarian and medical center – have become empty, and may be forced to close their doors.
In a statement, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry described the Rapid Support Forces as “terrorists” because of their “declared targeting of a number of safe villages and towns east of Al-Jazira State, which are devoid of any military targets.”
On Friday, the Rapid Support Forces said on the “X” website that they “reassure” the citizens of Al-Jazeera State and in “Wad Madani,” especially since they are army strongholds.
After opening a new combat front in Sudan, the US State Department called on the Rapid Support Forces to immediately stop their advance in Al-Jazeera State and to refrain from attacking “Wad Madani.” It also urged the Sudanese army to avoid clashes and other actions that expose civilians to danger.
In other field developments, activists said that clashes renewed around the city of El Fasher, the capital of Northern State Darfur After relative calm for weeks.
The Rapid Support Forces – which are encircling the city – stopped their advance earlier after other armed groups announced that they would intervene.
Residents also spoke of violent strikes launched by the Sudanese army in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, and in Khartoum Bahri.
During 8 months, the fighting in Sudan caused the death of more than 12,000 people, and the displacement of more than 5.4 million people inside the country – according to the United Nations – in addition to nearly 1.5 million others who fled to neighboring countries.
