The Sudanese army launched an operation yesterday to reopen the Kosti-Sennar Road, advancing simultaneously west from Sennar City and east from Rabak.
The two forces met near Jebel Moya, a granite massif in the otherwise mostly flat Jazira/Sennar plain. Celebrations ensued among army soldiers and supporters.
The operation took advantage of the Rapid Support Forces’ setbacks in Khartoum State, which prompted them to redeploy men northward to reinforce the capital.
If the army can keep control of the road, it would complicate the RSF’s continuing control of Sennar State and it would reconnect isolated White Nile State with the rest of army-controlled territory in the east and north of the country.
However, the continuing presence of RSF fighters near this road means it is too soon to say definitely whether the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) will be able to use it.
SAF’s frontline in this part of Sennar State previously proved vulnerable as the wide open plains of the state suited the RSF’s tactics and left the army without natural geographic barriers to aid their defense of the state.
The Rapid Support Forces severed the Kosti-Sennar during an offensive in June, overrunning army positions near Jebel Moya before blitzing south toward the state capital, Sinja, which they captured quickly before consolidating control over most of the rest of the state, except for Sennar City and a few surrounding villages.
If the SAF attempt to defend the road, they could be vulnerable to ambushes. However, in speeches after the victory, SAF officers vowed to continue the operation and to retake Sinja, Dinder, and the “Sugar Factory,” a well-known landmark.
“This is a jihad. Our dead are in heaven and their dead are in hell,” said one unidentified officer in remarks made to jubilant troops last night, while standing next to Maj-Gen Abdel Moneim Abdel Basset, commander of the Sennar Military Region.
Major General Moneim took over in August from Major General Dr. Rabie Abdullah, who was reassigned to the Blue Nile Military Region. In remarks last night, he dedicated the victory at Jebel Moya to his predecessor.
This operation is part of a broader multi-front offensive that is pressuring the RSF from several directions. By contrast, a Sudanese army offensive in Omdurman in December 2023 to February 2024 happened largely without support on other axes.
Video: SAF troops celebrate on the Kosti-Sennar Road
Photo of the Day
Yesterday was World Teachers Day. This photo shows girls with their teacher in Red Sea State, where schools reopened in August 2024 after an extended break.
Most schools in Sudan are closed. Some areas are too dangerous for schooling, while in other areas the schools are occupied by displaced people. The schools that are open are overcrowded and under-resourced.
News in Brief
The RSF have arrested at least 20 young men in Kutum Locality and banned the use of Wi-Fi networks and Starlink devices. Additionally, a large number of wounded RSF fighters arrived in Kutum, sources told Sudan War Monitor.
The Rapid Support Forces have turned a factory in Hassahissa, Jazira State, into a detention center. One young man held there was murdered.
A court in Port Sudan sentenced a man to death for allegedly supporting the RSF.
Security agents in Port Sudan arrested a lawyer representing former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, whom prosecutors have also filed charges against.
Arab nations have condemned a reported bombing of the UAE ambassador’s residence in Khartoum.
The latest fighting in Khartoum has caused dozens of civilian casualties. According to Doctors Without Borders, hospitals in the capital region lack supplies and medicines to help the wounded.
Estafanos Mengistu, Doctors Without Borders Head of Mission in Sudan, described the case of a 4-month-old baby named Riad who was hit by a stray bullet in the chest. He was taken to Bashair Hospital where he was treated. Mengistu said, “According to Riad’s family, this incident has happened while the baby was sleeping in his house. Our resilient medical staff, despite all the challenges and constraints they have, they have rushed into the emergency room and helped the baby. Thanks to their efforts, the baby is currently well and stable. But the bullet remains inside his body. Our doctors are working and planning for further intervention to remove this bullet from his body.”
U.S. Special Envoy Tom Perriello held talks with African Union officials, after which he said, “the AU is a critical partner for solving the Sudan crisis, including their facilitation of the civilian political dialogue to support the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people.” Perriello gave an interview with Radio Tamazuj, discussing a variety of political and humanitarian topics.
The RSF flogged and whipped women in Kabkabiya Locality for wearing the niqab, a type of veil covering the whole face except the eyes.
Amid escalating ethnic tensions between Zaghawas and Arabs in Darfur, two omdas (local leaders) of the tribes signed an accord, according to Radio Dabanga. The reconciliation talks were initiated by the Rizeigat Arab tribal leader and militia commander, Musa Hilal, who notably has not joined the RSF.