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Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, initiated a significant offensive on the outskirts of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazirah State, on Friday morning.
The attack triggered intense confrontations with the Sudanese army, which deployed substantial firepower to thwart the RSF advance.
The conflict unfolded a mere 15 kilometres from Wad Madani, a pivotal city in central Sudan with a population exceeding 1.5 million. Witnesses reported explosions and observed dense smoke billowing from the area.
The RSF, reportedly comprising hundreds of armoured vehicles and armed personnel, infiltrated Al-Jazirah State from Eastern Nile in Khartoum State, targeting areas east of Wad Madani, including Al-Alila, Al-Sharafa, and Abu Haraz.
The military responded promptly, sealing the Hantoub Bridge leading to Wad Madani and stationing troops on both sides. Residents of the Al-Dabbaga neighbourhood, closest to the bridge, were evacuated with urgency and advised to seek safety.