Khartoum, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Monday accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of conducting drone attacks aimed at the Merowe Dam in Sudan's Northern State, which has caused a widespread power outage.

"As part of its systematic campaign targeting military sites, vital facilities, and the country's development projects, and following the successive defeats inflicted on it by our armed forces on all fronts, the RSF militia targeted the Merowe Dam hydroelectric plant with several drones," stated the SAF's 19th Infantry Division.

"The ground anti-aircraft weapons successfully repelled the attack," the statement continued, highlighting that the incident caused "some damages," but did not provide further specifics.

The Merowe Dam, situated on the Nile River and inaugurated in 2009, is approximately 350 km north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, and stands as one of the largest hydropower projects in Africa.

Social media video clips depicted a fire outbreak at an electricity transmission station that channels power from the dam to the national grid, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that cities such as Merowe, Port Sudan, Omdurman, Atbara, and Dongola have experienced power outages.

The RSF has yet to respond to the SAF's allegations.

Since mid-April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF, which has resulted in at least 29,683 fatalities and has displaced nearly 15 million individuals, according to the latest estimates from international organizations.

On Saturday, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) reclaimed Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State in central Sudan, from the paramilitary RSF, as stated by the SAF spokesperson's office.

"The command of the SAF congratulates our honorable people on the entry of our forces into Wad Madani this Saturday morning, where they are currently engaged in eliminating pockets of resistance from the rebels within the city," the statement declared.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry characterized the recapture of Wad Madani as a significant victory.

"This victory signifies the dawn of the end of the suffering that has plagued the Sudanese people for nearly two years, represented by the rebel militia," the ministry noted in a statement.

Video clips released by Sudanese army soldiers showed the interior of the command headquarters of the 1st Division of the SAF in Wad Madani, previously held by the RSF, while activists shared videos capturing citizens celebrating within the city, chanting and waving to military units as they entered.

Major Sudanese cities, including Atbara, Port Sudan, Omdurman, and Kosti, witnessed public demonstrations in celebration of the recapture of Wad Madani.

Since early January, the SAF has initiated a significant ground operation to regain control of Wad Madani, located roughly 189 km from the Sudanese capital Khartoum.

In December 2023, the RSF seized control of Gezira State after the SAF withdrew from Wad Madani.