The Sudanese army announced on Tuesday that its forces have withdrawn from positions in Wad Madani after the entry of rival Rapid Support Forces into the city led to a mass exodus of civilians, some of whom had already been displaced during the ongoing eight-month war. The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have made strides in the past few weeks, consolidating their hold on the vast Darfur region and taking control of new areas extending east toward the capital, Khartoum. Wad Madani is located about 170 kilometers southeast of Khartoum and serves as a relief center and refuge for internally displaced persons. It is also the capital of Al-Jazeera State, an important agricultural area in a country facing worsening hunger.
On Monday, the International Organization for Migration stated that the entry of Rapid Support Forces into the city had caused nearly 300,000 people to flee the area. A video clip posted on social media on Tuesday appeared to show a large administrative building in Wad Madani burning, with a Rapid Support Forces fighter claiming it was a bank bombed by the army. Another video showed Rapid Support Forces fighters in a storage facility filled with weapons and ammunition. Reuters did not verify the authenticity of the videos.
The Rapid Support Forces, which originated from the militias deployed by the army two decades ago to suppress the insurgency in Darfur, have controlled most of Khartoum since the early days of the war. The army, which has aircraft but limited infantry forces, controls eastern and northern Sudan, raising fears of the potential disintegration of the third-largest country in Africa by land area.
**Airstrikes in Darfur**
Residents report that the army's airstrikes have caused widespread civilian casualties. The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern on Tuesday over reports that army aircraft were bombing populated areas in North and South Darfur. The army stated in a statement that it is investigating the reasons for its withdrawal from Wad Madani. The Rapid Support Forces, accused of widespread looting, arrests, and sexual violence in Khartoum and other cities, stated that they will provide protection and essential services to civilians in Wad Madani.
