Sudan's military and its allied forces have reclaimed a strategic city from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) more than a year after it fell to the paramilitary group, the Associated Press reported Saturday, citing officials.

The city of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira province, was once a refuge for displaced families during the early stages of the conflict, which erupted in April 2023, when escalating tensions between the military and the RSF leadership turned into full-scale fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the vast northeast African nation.

The conflict has resulted in over 28,000 deaths, displaced millions, and driven some families to the brink of survival, with reports of individuals consuming grass as famine ravages parts of the country.

Atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and rape, have been documented throughout the war, according to the United Nations and human rights organizations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration accused the RSF and its affiliates of committing genocide and imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. Sanctions also targeted seven RSF-linked companies in the United Arab Emirates, including one suspected of smuggling gold from Sudan.

In a statement, the Sudanese military announced that its forces had entered Wad Madani early Saturday and were working to "clear the rebels’ 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.

Khalid Aleiser, Sudan's Minister of Culture and Information and government spokesperson, confirmed that the military and its allies had "liberated" Wad Madani, located approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Khartoum.

Videos shared on social media purportedly showed soldiers celebrating alongside residents in the city center. One clip depicted crowds taking to the streets, chanting "Allah is Great" in celebration of the city's "liberation".

Since the RSF captured Wad Madani in December 2023, tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes.

In recent months, the RSF has faced significant battlefield setbacks, granting the military a decisive advantage in the war. The RSF has lost control of several key areas, including parts of Khartoum, its neighboring city Omdurman, and the eastern and central provinces.

The conflict has caused the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 14 million people—nearly 30% of Sudan's population—driven from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million individuals have fled to neighboring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.

Famine has been confirmed in at least five areas, including three camps for displaced persons in the Darfur region, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an international monitoring project.

The IPC warned that five additional areas are projected to experience famine within six months, with other regions also at high risk.

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