Thousands flee as battle for Sudan’s Wad Madani opens up new front

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battled the army outside the central city of Wad Madani on Saturday, pressing an attack that has opened a new
front in the eight-month-old war and forced thousands to flee, witnesses said.
Crowds of people – many of whom had taken refuge in the city from violence in the capital Khartoum – could be seen packing up their belongings and leaving on foot in video posted on social media.
Sudan’s army, which has held the city since the start of the conflict, launched air strikes on RSF forces to the east of the city, the capital of Gezira state, as it tried to push back the assault that started on Friday, witnesses said.
The RSF responded with artillery and RSF reinforcements were seen moving in the direction of the fighting, the witnesses added.
RSF soldiers have also been seen in villages to the north and west of the city in recent days and weeks, residents said.