Sudanese army intensifies operations to retake strategic Moya Mountain area

July 16, 2024 (SENNAR) – The Sudanese army and its allied forces have intensified military operations in the Jabal Moya area of ​​the northern state of Sennar, aiming to regain control of this strategic area.

The Moya Mountains are a series of hills located on a major national road connecting Sennar State, Gezira State and the White Nile, approximately 300 km southeast of Khartoum and 30 km west of the city of Sennar.

In June, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Jabal Moya, which had been the army’s main defensive point in Sennar state. From here, the RSF launched an offensive and captured the state capital, Singa, as well as Al-Dinder, Ad-Dali and Al-Mazmum, leaving the army with only the city of Sennar.

Sources on the ground told Sudan Tribune that government forces have advanced from White Nile State to Jabal Moya in the west to retake this important area.

Recapture of Mount Moya is crucial for the army to stop the Indian Rapid Security Forces from laying siege to the cities of Sennar and Manakil in White and Blue Nile states and Al Jazira state.

Currently, the Rapid Support Forces are besieging White Nile State, which borders South Sudan, with troops stationed in three locations: Um Rawaba in North Kordofan State in the west, Katina area in White Nile State in the north, and Mount Moya in Sennar State in the east.

The same source indicated that government forces regained control of Jabal Dud Mountain within the Jabal Moya Mountains last week and subsequently expanded eastwards to capture Jabal Al Awar Mountain, which is close to Jabal Moya Mountains.

According to reports, on Monday, the army attacked the areas around Jabal Saqdi and Jabal Moya, located west of the city of Sennar. They successfully raided the surrounding areas, causing losses to the RSF in terms of personnel and tanks.

The army also cleared villages at the foothills of Qara Mountain, Sidi Mountain and Tara Mountain and moved them to the area near Moya Mountain along the national road connecting Sennar and Labak in White Nile State.