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Sudan's military recaptures strategic city of Wad Medani

SUDAN’S military and its allies have taken back a strategic city from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), officials said on Saturday.

The recapture of the city of Wad Medani, the capital of Gezira province, came more than a year after it fell to the RSF. 

The conflict in Sudan started in April 2023 when tensions between the leaders of the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other cities across the sprawling north eastern African country.

The conflict has killed more than 28,000 people, forced millions to flee their homes and left some families eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive as famine swept parts of the country. 

It has been marked by gross atrocities including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according the United Nations and rights groups. 

The International Criminal Court said that it was investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The military said in a statement that its forces had entered Wad Medani early on Saturday and that they were working to “clear the rebel remnants inside the city.”

“Congratulations to the armed forces, their supporting forces everywhere and to our people as they reclaim their dignity, security and stability,” the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from the RSF.

Culture and information minister Kahlid Aleiser said that the military and its allies “liberated” Wad Medani, which is about 60 miles south-east of Khartoum.

The war has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, driving more than 14 million people — about 30 per cent of the population — from their homes, according to the UN. 

An estimated 3.2 million people have crossed into neighbouring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.

Experts say famine has also been detected in at least five areas, including three camps for displaced people in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

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